USNDT defender Jenna Nighswonger reveals that playing football in Europe has always been her ambition after moving through the pond to join Arsenal.
Was announced on the day of the January transfer window that 24-year-old had made the movement in North London by Nwsl Side Nj / Gotham FC.
Nighswonger signed with Gotham in 2023 and became Rookie NWSL of the year in its first season, but her dream has always been playing on Europe's high flight.
“That's something I wanted to do since I was like, seven or eight,” says Nighswonger 90 minutes. “I think when I was planning my whole life that I was like, okay, coming out of college, I wanted to go to Europe. But then there was a great opportunity with Gotham, so I went to Gotham.”
“Yet still in the back of my mind, I was always like, I really want to play in Europe. So when this opportunity was presented myself, I was so happy to join.”
The defender explained that growing, she was a thirsty Fan of Premier League. “I was following the Premier League, because here was good football,” she says. “I've always wanted to come here because this is the one I would see I grow up.”
Jenna Nighswonger is an attacker
– Women of Arsenal (@ARENCALWFC) 30 January 2025
Nighswonger is not the only member of The USDN team that has made the transition to England during the transfer window, with Chelsea Signature of Protector NOOM for a world record fee.
Emphasizing what it does from the difference between nwsl and Super league of women (WSL), Nighswonger explains: “NWSL is very transient and WSL is more tactical, you can say. I think growing your game in different ways is really important.
“I think entering a new team just has that transition, whether it's a new league or a different league. I'm just trying to complain to my new teammates, especially Foxy (Emily Fox), I'm looking like a million questions in an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible. “
Arsenal's newest recruitment played on the left in four occasions for its nation during the UNDT gold medal campaign at the Olympics in Paris, but grew up throwing its trade elsewhere in the field.
“I think the versatility in the game is important and I'm happy to have it,” Nighswonger adds. “I love to leave now and I am very happy to move there.
“I was a 10 or eight ago, and then I arrived at Gotham and they were short on my left back, and I'm left of the legs, so I just fell into that role. Then I really loved it very much , and now I'm really happy to play there.
“I just like the creative freedom that have the left. We can go ahead. You can go up. You could in. Really really fun get involved in protecting everything, I love it.”
American, filling with a bubble personality, left a last note for Arsenal Fans who will see her show in red and white very soon: “I love football, I love football, so I'm just excited to play and dive into it.”