Misa Rodriguez: Arsenal sign Real Madrid goalkeeper on a free transfer
Misa Rodriguez moves to north London as a free agent after her Real Madrid contract expired; she joins Daphne van Domselaar, Anneke Borbe and fellow summer signing Isabella Damm as Arsenal's goalkeepers; Rodriguez is Arsenal's seventh summer signing - and fourth free transfer
Wednesday 22 July 2026 10:46, UK
Arsenal have completed the free signing of former Real Madrid captain and goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.
The 27-year-old moves to north London after the expiry of her Real contract and joins Arsenal's goalkeeping pool of Daphne van Domselaar, Anneke Borbe and fellow summer signing Isabella Damm.
She made 215 appearances for Real - more than any player in the club's history. She also has 24 caps for Spain, with Rodriguez competing with Barcelona's Cata Coll for a starting spot in the national team.
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Rodriguez started three group games as Spain won the Women's World Cup in 2023.
Rodriguez is Arsenal's seventh signing of a very busy summer transfer window, after moves for Damm, Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler, Selina Cerci, Ona Batlle and Lisa Baum.
She is also the fifth free transfer made by Arsenal this summer, after Stanway, Batlle, Cerci and Reuteler.
"I'm so proud to join this great club," Rodriguez told Arsenal's official website.
"Arsenal is one of the top clubs in the world and I'm really excited to be part of the team and take on this new challenge. I want to help us compete for trophies and make more history, together with our supporters."
"Misa is a top goalkeeper who has performed consistently at a high level for several years," added Renee Slegers. "As well as her technical attributes, she has great presence and communication on the pitch and we believe she'll be a strong addition to our goalkeeping unit, alongside Daphne, Anneke and Isabella."
Arsenal's business is smart - but does it excite?
Analysis by Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
Ahead of 2026-27, the need for change at Arsenal was clear. Their aging squad had become outdated. The evolution began with household names leaving - Katie McCabe to Chelsea and Beth Mead to Man City - and is now transitioning into the rebuild phase.
The Gunners have welcomed seven new faces, five of them arriving as free agents, mixing potential with experience. And chosen with Renee Slegers' preference for clever, versatile players in mind. Smart business.
Arsenal needed more threat in forward areas and more options in the central third. Geraldine Reuteler and Georgia Stanway address the latter, while Selina Cerci offers goals.
Perhaps Slegers is still a marquee signing short, though, given two of Arsenal's most prominent players moved to direct rivals this summer. When Arsenal let Vivianne Miedema go in 2024 there was outcry, but she was swiftly replaced by Barcelona's Mariona Caldentey, who has been a revelation.
Last year it was £1m-rated forward Olivia Smith that stirred excitement. The squad's overhaul is ongoing; it would benefit from a headline acquisition to really underline Arsenal's ambitions for next term.
