Arsenal youngster Ruby Mace has joined the club’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League rivals Birmingham City on a loan deal until the end of the season according to reports on the Blues’ official website.
The versatile 17-year-old, who can play in either defence or midfield, will represent Birmingham City at senior level but will remain registered as a player for parent club Arsenal’s WSL Academy side.
Mace is one of the hottest young prospects to come out of the Arsenal academy system and the player went on to make her senior debut for The Gunners as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in their 2019/2020 Vitality Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Meadow Park in September. Mace has also made a handful of substitute appearances for Arsenal in both the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Continental League Cup this season.
The youngster was named on the bench when Birmingham City travelled to Meadow Park in December but she remained unused in that match.
With Mace ready for regular first team involvement, Arsenal head coach Joe Montemurro has been willing to let the teenager go out on loan to Birmingham City to get some games under her belt. The player joins a Blues side which have performed heroically this season with head coach Carla Ward having to work with limited squad numbers.
Mace could be involved for Birmingham City for the first time when Ward takes her side to Everton on Sunday.