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Arsenal complete the signing of Japanese international Iwabuchi

Daniel Pentland

Mana Iwabuchi (#20 Aston Villa) preparing for an interview after the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Banks's Stadium in Walsall, England - Image by Sports Press Photo

Arsenal have completed the signing of Japanese international forward Mana Iwabuchi on a free transfer following her release by Aston Villa.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of this season with Villa, helping the club to avoid relegation to the FA Women’s Championship. The striker netted two goals in 13 Barclays FA Women’s Super League outings for The Villains.

Following her release by Villa, Iwabuchi was heavily linked with Arsenal with the club having previously tracked her progress over the last 18 months. The Gunners have finally completed the capture of the player with the club confirming the transfer via a post on their official club Twitter account this morning.

Iwabuchi has 74 senior caps for Japan while she is the nation’s joint-sixth highest goalscorer of all-time with 31 goals. She was a FIFA Women’s World Cup winner with Nadeshiko in 2011 while she was a Golden Ball winner at Under-17 level at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup three years prior.

At club level, the forward has won six league titles, three in Japan and three when playing in Germany. She brings UEFA Women’s Champions League playing experience with her to Arsenal with Iwabuchi having represented Bayern Munich in European football’s elite competition.

Iwabuchi becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the close season.

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