By OkayGoal 
Misa Rodriguez has signed for Arsenal on a free transfer after her Real Madrid contract expired, the club confirmed on 22 July 2026. Arsenal have landed an experienced goalkeeper with a record 215 appearances for Real Madrid, more than any other player in the club’s history, without spending a penny.
Misa Rodriguez: Real Madrid’s Record Appearance Maker Arrives In North London
The 27-year-old Spanish international leaves after her Real Madrid contract expired, having been one of the club’s first-ever signings when Real Madrid Femenino was formed in 2020. Her 215 appearances represent a club record, and she leaves Madrid as captain after helping the side compete at a high level throughout her six years there.
Rodriguez has earned 24 caps for Spain, competing with Barcelona’s Cata Coll for the national team’s starting berth. She started three group games as Spain won the Women’s World Cup in 2023, before Coll took over in goal for the knockout rounds as Spain lifted the trophy for the first time.
Renee Slegers And Misa Rodriguez On The Move To Arsenal
“I’m so proud to join this great club,” Rodriguez said on 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.”
Head coach Renee Slegers was equally positive. “Misa is a top goalkeeper who has performed consistently at a high level for several years,” Slegers said. “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 Goalkeeping Pool And Summer Rebuild Under Renee Slegers
Rodriguez joins a goalkeeping group that now includes Daphne van Domselaar, Anneke Borbe and fellow summer arrival Isabella Damm, giving Slegers four senior options between the posts. That depth says plenty about Arsenal’s intent this summer.
She is Arsenal’s seventh signing of the window and the fifth to arrive on a free transfer, following Georgia Stanway, Ona Batlle, Selina Cerci and Geraldine Reuteler. For context on the window’s structure and deadlines, She Kicks covered the WSL transfer window dates for 2026-27 when they were confirmed.
The summer has not been without its complications for Arsenal. Katie McCabe and Beth Mead have both left the club as free agents after their contracts expired, with reports linking both to other Women’s Super League clubs. Sky Sports analysis from Laura Hunter notes that Slegers may still be one marquee signing short of a squad that truly signals title ambition.
It is worth noting that Arsenal have added proven winners and experienced internationals throughout this window, and Rodriguez fits that pattern as another free signing with a strong track record.
Rodriguez arrives with the credentials to start. Whether she does will be one of the more compelling sub-plots of Arsenal’s 2026-27 campaign.
