Arsenal sign Germany striker Cerci on free

Arsenal sign Germany striker Cerci on freeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Selina Cerci was part of the academy set-up at Bayern Munich and has never previously played outside GermanyByJoe BradshawBBC Sport senior journalistPublished2 minutes agoArsenal have confirmed the signing of Germany striker Selina Cerci from Hoffenheim on a free transfer.The 26-year-old has spent her entire career in Frauen-Bundesliga and scored 34 goals in 47 appearances for Hoffenheim, helping them to a fourth-placed finish in 2025-26.She also has 20 caps for her country, scoring five goals, and will help fill the void left by Beth Mead's departure to Women's Super League champions Manchester City earlier this summer.BBC Sport understands Cerci has signed a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months."It is a big honour for me," Cerci said. "It didn't matter which other clubs were interested in me – I wanted to play for Arsenal."After starting her career with prolific spells at Werder Bremen and Turbine Potsdam, Cerci suffered a cruciate ligament injury in March 2022 that ruled her out of the Women's Euros that year and the Women's World Cup 12 months later.A switch to Hoffenheim via FC Koln followed and there she returned to form, twice finishing second in the top scorers' ranks with 16 goals."She's an instinctive goalscorer with a proven record in the Bundesliga," said Arsenal director of women's football Clare Wheatley. "We believe she's in a strong position to transition to English football."Last season, Cerci added assists to her game, supplying nine in the league. That was enough for joint-second most in the division, alongside new Arsenal team-mate Georgia Stanway, then of Bayern Munich."[Selina] has impressive goalscoring numbers and brings good presence, physicality and forward intent," added boss Renee Slegers. "Combined with her strong work ethic, we feel these qu...