Manchester City have completed the permanent signing of Austrian defender Laura Wienroither from Arsenal on a two-year contract, securing her services until the summer of 2027.
The 26-year-old, who impressed during a loan spell with City in the latter half of the 2024/25 season, joins the club amid efforts to strengthen their squad under new head coach Andree Jeglertz.
Wienroither, an Austria international with 40 caps, initially joined Manchester City on a short-term loan in January 2025, making eight appearances and contributing to the team’s defensive stability. Her positive integration during that period paved the way for this full-time move, reuniting her with former Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema, with whom she shares a close bond forged during their respective ACL injury recoveries.
Expressing her delight at the transfer, Wienroither said, “I really enjoyed the last six months. I feel like I settled in well. I really like the girls, I really like the staff. So, when the opportunity came up that I can stay, I didn’t have to think twice.”
She added, “This club is made to win titles, to win trophies, and I’m here to do that. The team definitely has the qualities and potential to do that, and we do have a very successful future ahead.”
Wienroither’s journey to Manchester City has been marked by resilience and achievement. Born on January 13, 1999, in Vocklabruck, Austria, she began her professional career at age 15 with Union Kleinmunchen before stints at SV Neulengbach and St Polten, where she helped secure a league and cup double in her final season. She moved to Hoffenheim in 2018 and caught Arsenal’s eye with a standout performance in a 4-1 Champions League win over the Gunners in December 2021.
Joining Arsenal in January 2022 for an undisclosed fee, Wienroither made 51 appearances, scoring one goal, and lifted two League Cup titles. She also featured in four matches during Arsenal’s run to UEFA Women’s Champions League glory last season. However, her time at the Emirates was interrupted by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in May 2023 during a Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg, sidelining her for 11 months until her return in April 2024.
Arsenal released a statement thanking Wienroither for her contributions: “Everyone at Arsenal thanked Laura for her efforts and wished her well for her next chapter.”
The versatile full-back, capable of playing at right-back or center-back, has also faced City multiple times in her career, including with St Polten in the 2017/18 UEFA Women’s Champions League and Arsenal in a 2023 League Cup semi-final.
Wienroither’s international experience includes debuting for Austria in 2019 and starting in their 1-0 loss to England at the 2022 European Championships at Old Trafford, where she played in three of her country’s four matches. Her decision to join City permanently was influenced by Director of Football Therese Sjogran, whom she credits for believing in her potential.
