Oxford United Women defender Cecily Wellesley-Smith has signed a professional contract with Arsenal Women and will join the Gunners from next season.
Cecily has been with United since the age of nine, and came all the way through the Club's pathway. She started playing for the first team in 2023/24 and has been a regular at the back since then.
Cecily's potential was spotted early in her career and she captained the England squad at U16 level. She was a member of the England Under squad that finished in fourth place at the 2024 Under-17 World Cup and this season she made her England Under 19 debut.
Having spent some time this season training with Arsenal alongside Oxford, Cecily will now join the Gunners on a full-time basis.
Oxford United Women General Manager Gemma Sims said: "We are all very proud of Cecily. I am sure that every coach and player who has been part of Cecily's journey here at Oxford United will be really pleased for her and wish her all the best.
"She has always been a humble and hard-working athlete, and I’ve no doubt that she will continue to develop and reach her potential."
