WSL: Arsenal sign Élisa De Almeida from PSG | OneFootball

Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of France international Élisa De Almeida from Paris Saint-Germain.

De Almeida leaves Paris after five seasons with PSG, where she made 154 appearances for the club and lifted two Coupe de France trophies, in 2022 and 2024.

Now, much like every other European this season, she is heading to England for a new challenge.

Born in Châtenay-Malabry and raised in the Paris region, De Almeida spent much of her career in the French capital. She joined PSG from Montpellier in 2021 and quickly became an important part of the squad.

De Almeida featured in PSG’s Champions League campaigns and helped the club reach the semi-finals in 2022 and 2024. Those nights gave her a taste of the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level. The same pressure she’ll be expected to replicate at Arsenal.

De Almeida brings plenty of fight to the backline. She does not shy away from a challenge. That aggression combined with the mobility to track attackers and defend space will be tested in the WSL.

The Gunners often ask their defenders to push high up the pitch. That leaves space behind them and puts a premium on pace, positioning and one-on-one defending. De Almeida has spent years dealing with those situations in France and in Europe.

She also gives Renée Slegers another versatile option in defence and her experience extends beyond club football.

Embed from Getty Images

International experience

De Almeida has represented France at every major level. She won the UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championship in 2016 before making her senior debut in 2019.

She now has 52 senior caps and five international goals.

Her résumé includes the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. That experience matters.

Arsenal have ambitions on every front. They need players who understand what it takes to compete for trophies and handle the pressure that comes with them.

Now De Almeida gets the chance to do it in an Arsenal shirt.

Embed from Getty Images

A defender who competes for everything

“I’m so excited to join Arsenal,” De Almeida said. “This is a very big club and I can’t wait to get started.”

The move also carries a personal significance.

“I grew up watching Arsenal and seeing French players wear this jersey. So I’m proud to take this step.”

For Arsenal supporters, the message is simple: expect a defender who competes for everything.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: