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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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Smilla Holmberg joins Arsenal

Arsenal are delighted to announce the signing of Smilla Holmberg on a long term contract.

The 19-year-old Sweden right-back joins us from Hammarby IF in her homeland.

Born in Stockholm, Smilla joined Hammarby at the age of seven, progressing through the academy set-up before making her senior debut at the age of just 15 in 2022. She went on to make 96 appearances for Hammarby, scoring 10 goals, winning the Swedish league title in 2023 and the Swedish Cup in 2023 and 2025 with the club.

At international level, Smilla made her senior debut against Italy in the UEFA Women’s Nations League group stage in May 2025 before being named in Sweden’s squad for the UEFA European Women’s Championship in the summer of 2025. Smilla played three times as Sweden reached the quarter finals of the competition, and now has nine international caps and one goal to her name.

“It’s always been my dream to play for Arsenal,” Smilla told arsenal.com. “This is a very special moment for me and my family, but it’s also about joining a club with the highest standards and a strong winning culture. I’m excited to start this new chapter, to continue developing my game in a demanding environment and to compete at the highest level. My ambitions align with the club’s and I want to help win silverware here.”

Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We’re delighted to bring Smilla to Arsenal. She’s one of the most exciting young full-backs in Europe and has shown real composure and maturity already in her professional career. Congratulations to Smilla and her family on this special achievement.”

Head Coach Renée Slegers added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Smilla to the club. She’s a very talented young defender who brings versatility and athleticism, with so much potential for development. I’m looking forward to working with her as we aim for more trophies together.”