Manchester City have confirmed the loan signing of Laura Wienroither, with the 26-year-old Austrian defender joining the club until the end of the 2024/2025 season from Arsenal.
The 26-year-old defender, who will wear number 13 during her stay at the Joie Stadium, becomes City’s fourth and final signing of the January window after Rebecca Knaak, Aemu Oyama and Kerolin Nicoli.
Wienroither made her debut for Arsenal in January 2022 after joining the club from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. She made 30 appearances for the London side and scored once, before tearing anterior cruciate ligament in the UWCL semi final against VFL Wolfsburg in May 2023, which ruled her out for the majority of the 2023/24 season. She made her return to the pitch in a 5-0 win over Bristol City in April 2024.
On an international level, she has two goals in 35 appearances for the Austrian national team.
She said: “I’m really happy to be here. I’m relieved everything’s done now and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with people who trust and believe in me. I just hope I can give the trust back. I’m really excited to get started and can’t wait to meet the team. When you have the chance to sign for a big club like City, I don’t think you have to think a lot about it – at least I didn’t.”
“I spoke a lot to Therese [Sjogran], I really like her as a human being. She gave me the opportunity to come here, she believes in me, and I think that’s what really made me want to sign for City.”
Sjgran, Manchester City’s Director of Women’s Football, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Laura to the club. She will bring even more quality in the full-back position and we’re looking forward to seeing what she can add to our team in this crucial part of the season.”
Wienroither joins former Arsenal teammate, Vivianne Miedema, who transferred to Manchester City at the beginning of this season.
“Obviously I’ve stayed with Viv for a bit after my surgery, she took me under her wings. She took care of me when I needed her. We created a really good relationship. She always knew she can count on me and I always knew I can count on her. That hasn’t changed since she left. I’m grateful we can play together again. She is an unbelievable player. She is a great person. I can’t wait to be with her again.”
Manchester City’s next WSL game will take place at the Joie Stadium, this Sunday, at 12:30 GMT, against Wienroither’s parent club, Arsenal.