Aston Villa have signed Arsenal centre-back Anna Patten on a permanent basis, the club have confirmed.

The 24-year-old had spent the last eighteen months at the Midlands club on two separate loan spells but she has now signed a three-year contract with the Villans. Manager Carla Ward has hailed the addition of the defender as a massive coup:

“This is a huge signing for us. Patsy has had two successful loan spells and has already played a big part in our journey so far. We’re delighted she’s enjoyed her time here and wants to continue, as we see her playing a significant part in our next steps.”

Patten made 19 league appearances for Villa last season, helping the team to an impressive fifth-place finish in the WSL.

With the club seemingly on the up and having ambitions to progress further next season, Patten will be looking to build on the form she showed during her loan spell.

Patten’s career profile

The centre-half started her career at Arsenal when she was just 12, going on to make her senior debut in 2017 against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Patten then left the Gunners for college in the US, where she played for Florida State Seminoles and South Carolina Gamecocks before returning to Arsenal in January 2021.

After twelve months as a bit-part player, the former England Under 21 international joined Villa on her first loan spell in January last year. She then came back to the Midlands for a second stint at the start of last season.

She is Villa’s third addition of the summer

It was revealed last month that Dutch international goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar would be joining from FC Twente. She will put on the gloves after Hannah Hampton’s move to Chelsea.

Lucy Parker has also joined on a two-year deal, having joined on a free transfer following two years at West Ham.