Arsenal have secured the services of experienced Swedish international defender, Amanda Ilestedt.

The club’s latest acquisition signifies a major boost to the team’s defence as they look forward to the forthcoming season.

• Amanda Ilestedt is the newest addition to Arsenal, moving from Paris Saint-Germain after a two-year spell.
• Ilestedt reunites with head coach Jonas Eidevall, under whom she clinched two league titles while playing for FC Rosengard.
• The experienced defender’s signing is set to bolster Arsenal’s backline for the forthcoming season.

Arsenal have announced Swedish international Amanda Ilestedt as a new addition to the team.

Ilestedt, 30, makes a switch to Arsenal on a permanent deal after a successful two-year stint with French club Paris Saint-Germain.

Ilestedt’s journey: from Rosengard to Arsenal

Amanda began her senior football career at FC Rosengard in 2009. During an eight-year tenure with the Swedish club, she bagged five Damallsvenskan league titles, a Swedish Cup, and three Swedish Super Club titles.

Interestingly, two of these league titles came under the guidance of Arsenal’s current head coach, Jonas Eidevall.

CORDOBA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 07: Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden looks on during the Women’s International Friendly match between Spain and Sweden at Estadio Nuevo Arcangel on October 07, 2022 in Cordoba, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)In 2017, Ilestedt decided to explore German football and signed with Turbine Potsdam.

After two years, she switched to Bayern Munich, where she spent another two years, rounding off her German tenure with the 2020/21 Frauen Bundesliga title.

Ilestedt then found her way to Paris Saint-Germain, earning a French Cup title in her two-year spell.

International achievements and looking ahead

https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1673617182465617921

On the international front, Ilestedt has earned 64 caps for Sweden. She’s played in two UEFA European Championships and two FIFA Women’s World Cups, claiming bronze in the 2019 edition held in France.

She also secured a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics and has been selected for the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Upon her transfer, Amanda stated, “I’m really excited and happy to be here. My goal is to win titles and this is a great club with great players and fantastic facilities, so I believe this is the right place for me to achieve that. There is a real sense of momentum around this club and the support has been wonderful.”

Arsenal’s expectations and hopes

Arsenal’s head coach Jonas Eidevall shared his delight, saying, “I’m delighted that Amanda has joined us here at Arsenal. She brings extensive international experience and I believe she has a great mix of presence and technical ability, making her an ideal fit for our squad.”

Head of Women’s Football, Clare Wheatley, echoed these sentiments. She expressed, “Amanda is an experienced international defender in her peak years, so we are very pleased to have brought her to Arsenal. She has a proven track record in domestic, European and international football and we believe she will strengthen our squad in a key area as we look ahead to the new season.”

With Amanda Ilestedt now in the mix, Arsenal fans can look forward to an even more robust defence in the forthcoming season.