We’re delighted to announce that Vivienne Lia has put pen to paper on her first professional contract with us.
The 18-year-old winger and England youth international joined our academy at the age of 14 in 2021 and has since gone on to win several trophies with our under-16 and under-21 teams, most recently winning the PGA Southern League title with the under-21s in April 2024.
Viv has already made two senior appearances for us, with her first-team debut coming from the bench in our League Cup quarter-final victory over London City Lionesses in February 2024.
Viv also gained valuable first-team experience as part of our travelling squads for our trips to Australia and the USA in the summer of 2024. Notably, Viv started our exhibition game against A-League All-Stars Women in Melbourne last May, assisting Alessia Russo for the only goal of the game. She also featured in both of our pre-season matches in Washington DC in August.
“To sign a professional contract at the club I’ve spent my whole life supporting is incredible,” said Viv. “I’ve worked so hard for this moment and I’m delighted to be continuing my journey at Arsenal. Now I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and I’m determined to take every opportunity to develop and grow.”
Head of Player Development James Honeyman added: “We are extremely proud of Viv and her journey here at the club. Despite only joining us four years ago, her dedication and commitment has allowed her to progress and gain valuable first-team experience, including a senior debut. Viv has so much potential and we will all be there alongside her to support her growth within the professional game.”
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “Creating a strong pathway for our youth players into first-team football is a key focus for us at the club, so to have followed Viv’s journey and watch her sign her first professional contract is a proud moment for everyone. With Viv’s can-do attitude and determination to succeed, we’re confident she’ll continue to develop and grow as a professional footballer.”
Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Viv and we all look forward to seeing her continued development at the club.
Copyright 2025 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
