WSL: West Ham sign keeper Arnold, Manchester United land Staniforth
West Ham United have signed the Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold from Brisbane Roar.
The move was announced on the day Manchester United strengthened their squad by bringing in the England midfielder Lucy Staniforth, whose contract at Birmingham had expired.
Arnold is West Ham’s first signing of the summer and has been the W-League goalkeeper of the year three times. The 26-year-old has spent most of her career in Australia but has also had spells in the US and Norway. Arnold was part of Australia’s squad for the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
“Mackenzie has played at the top level in Australia and she knows the mentality it takes to get to tournament finals,” West Ham’s head coach, Matt Beard, said. “She’s an excellent goalkeeper who is very brave and very good with her feet. She’s a good shot-stopper too.”
Staniforth was part of England’s squad at last summer’s World Cup and has 12 caps. She joined Birmingham from Sunderland in 2018 and has a two-year deal at United.
“I wanted to come here to win trophies and make history with this club, and I’m just excited to get started,” she said.
