VIVIANNE MIEDEMA has hailed her very good move to Manchester City as “the most productive choice” for her after joining the WSL giants as a free agent today.
And the 27-year-old former Arsenal star is hopeful that his years on the pitch are still to come after sealing a three-year move to the Cityzens.
His contract with his new club runs until the summer of 2027.
The Netherlands’ most sensible goalscorer of all time connected strongly with the Manchester giants after leaving the Gunners in May after seven years at the club.
The prolific striker will wear City’s No. 6 shirt worn in the past by former Cityzens captain Steph Houghton before retiring at the end of last season.
His time with a team that jumped into the WSL name thanks to goal difference against champions Chelsea last season is a blow for manager Gareth Taylor’s team.
It is also one of the maximum movements of this summer’s movement window.
A window that also saw the London City Lyons sign Kosovar Asllani, English star Fran Kirby sign for Brighton and Mary Earps sign for Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Manchester United.
In an interview for Manchester City’s website, Miedema said: “When I first heard that Manchester City were interested, I thought, ‘oh, this is interesting’.
“It’s one of the clubs I’ve followed to make sure they’re doing well.
“I’ve been following their progress and with those two things in combination and the way they play football in the WSL, in the end it was a pretty straightforward choice for me.
“After thinking a lot about my future after leaving Arsenal, the most important thing that came to my mind is that I need to be part of a team that plays smart football.
“In women’s football, City lately has a transparent philosophy.
“They did very well last season and if I look at the way I need to play, it suits them.
“At the end of the day, it’s clearly a big advantage to stay in the WSL. I think it’s the most productive solution for me. “
One of the world’s most productive strikers, Miedema is currently Arsenal’s all-time top scorer in the WSL, having scored 126 goals for her former club.
The player is also currently the WSL’s all-time top scorer with 80 goals scored in the division.
Last season, Miedema’s playing time was hampered by injury following his return to play last October after an 11-month season due to a torn ACL.
She made 14 appearances for the Gunners last season and underwent minor knee surgery in March, which kept her out for several weeks.
If I get back to my best, we can do wonderful things together.
During his time at Arsenal, Miedema won four major trophies, a WSL title in 2019.
And the Dutch striker, who won the European Championship in 2017 in a Dutch team then controlled by Sarina Wiegman, is hoping to bring her form to her new team.
Miedema added: “I’m only 27 years old and I haven’t played as much football as I would have liked in the last two years, but I hope my most productive years are yet to come and be here at City.
“I hope I can help the team as much as I can.
“I’m excited to be part of the team and for the girls to hopefully help me and get me back to my most productive level.
“If I get back to my best, we can do wonderful things together. “
Miedema’s move to Man City will see her sign for Dutch teammates Jill Roord and Kerstin Casperij at the club.
The striker is expected to sign up for her national team this month ahead of Women’s EURO qualifiers against Italy and Norway on July 12-16.
City Women’s boss, Taylor, said: “We can’t wait to welcome Viv to City and see it flourish over the next 3 years.
“Our ambition is to compete at the level and for honours, and Viv is aligned with that desire.
“She is a player with whom I am very happy to work because she is a player I have admired. Viv will be a real asset to the team. ”
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