Nighswonger leaves Arsenal for NWSL's Bay FC

Jenna Nighswonger, 25, has left Arsenal on a permanent basis to join NWSL club Bay FC, ending an 18-month spell that included a loan at Aston Villa.

Aug 10, 2026 · Kickhell

Updated Sep 18, 2026

Jenna Nighswonger in action during a women's soccer match — Hameltion / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Jenna Nighswonger has completed a permanent transfer from Arsenal to Bay FC in the National Women's Soccer League, ending her spell with the English club.

The 25-year-old American full-back made six first-team appearances for Arsenal after joining from NWSL side Gotham FC in January 2025. She made her debut on 9 February 2025 in an FA Cup fifth-round win over London City Lionesses at Meadow Park.

In January 2026, Nighswonger moved on loan to WSL club Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, making eight appearances during her time there.

She now returns to the United States on a permanent basis with Bay FC.

Related

Marc Guéhi pictured during an England match; the City defender is discussing how the PSG defeat can help the team learn and improve.

Guéhi: PSG defeat a chance for City to learn

Marc Guéhi said City's 4-2 home loss to PSG in the Champions League was driven by a poor first half but expressed confidence the side can learn and improve.

Aston Villa players during a match, illustrating the club’s record 6-0 European victory over Fenerbahçe.

Aston Villa thrash Fenerbahçe 6-0 in record European win

Aston Villa crushed Fenerbahçe 6-0 at Villa Park to set a new club record in European competition, with Barkley, Jackson and Manzambi among the scorers.

Erling Haaland in action for Manchester City against RB Leipzig, illustrating his record-breaking Champions League scoring achievement.

Haaland breaks Man City Champions League scoring record

Erling Haaland became Manchester City's all-time Champions League top scorer, netting his 37th goal to pass Sergio Agüero's record of 36 against PSG.

Brighton players in action, illustrating the Conference League side Zalgiris will face after winning the Lithuanian Cup.

Zalgiris win Lithuanian Cup ahead of Brighton clash

Zalgiris beat Kretinga Minija 3-0 on Sunday to win Lithuania's cup for the first time in club history, days before their Conference League tie at Brighton.

Aston Villa fans display a large Villa Villan tifo at Villa Park, marking the return of European football for the Champions League night.

Villa Villan tifo returns for Champions League night

Aston Villa unveiled a 'Villa Villan' tifo at Villa Park ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash with Fenerbahçe, marking the return of European football to B6.

Bradley Barcola in action for France, pictured in an article about his hat-trick in Liverpool’s 6-3 Champions League win over LASK.

Barcola hat-trick fires Liverpool to 6-3 win at LASK

Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick and Liverpool beat LASK 6-3 in the Champions League, taking six points from their first two league-phase games.

Erling Haaland smiles in a Manchester City shirt, illustrating the squad ahead of the Champions League clash with PSG.

Man City make three changes for Champions League clash with PSG

Manchester City make three changes to face PSG in the Champions League, with Doku, Khusanov and Gvardiol recalled after the 3-0 win at Liverpool.

A Brighton player in action during a match, illustrating the squad news ahead of Brighton’s Conference League tie with Kauno Zalgiris.

Struijk out for Zalgiris tie, Hinshelwood set to return

Brighton face Kauno Zalgiris in their UEFA Conference League opener on Thursday, with Pascal Struijk ruled out and Jack Hinshelwood set to return for Hürzeler's rotated side.

Tottenham players in action during a match, illustrating the team ahead of its first Premier League meeting with Coventry since 2001.

Spurs host Coventry in first PL meeting since 2001

Tottenham host Coventry City on Monday in their first Premier League meeting since March 2001, when Spurs won 3-0 at home over 25 years ago.

Tottenham Hotspur players face Rangers, illustrating the club’s football history alongside its Black History Month tribute to trailblazers.

Spurs honour Black History Month with first Black XI showcase

Tottenham Hotspur is honouring its first Black XI and Women's trailblazers during Black History Month, with a stadium showcase and pitch ceremony on 19 October.

John Terry celebrates in a parade, illustrating the Chelsea captain at the centre of the article about his emergency spell in goal at Reading.

John Terry in goal: Chelsea's chaotic win at Reading

John Terry was forced into goal 20 years ago as nine-man Chelsea survived a chaotic afternoon at Reading to win 1-0, with both Cech and Cudicini injured.

Brighton and Hove Albion players in action against Manchester United, illustrating the club involved in Pascal Struijk’s rescinded red card appeal.

Struijk red card rescinded ahead of Palace clash

Pascal Struijk's red card against Sunderland on 10 October has been rescinded after a Regulatory Commission upheld Brighton's wrongful dismissal claim.

Footballers celebrate on the pitch, illustrating Everton’s unbeaten run as Dewsbury-Hall calls for the team to turn draws into wins.

Dewsbury-Hall: Everton must turn draws into wins

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says Everton's eight-game unbeaten start is pleasing but urges the side to turn draws into wins ahead of a Chelsea test.

Thiago Silva training in 2014, illustrating the Chelsea defender who tops the club’s list of oldest Premier League scorers.

Chelsea's 10 oldest Premier League scorers ranked

Jordan Henderson's brace against Bournemouth placed him seventh in Chelsea's all-time list of oldest Premier League scorers, topped by Thiago Silva at 39 years and 198 days.

Erling Haaland pictured for a matchday guide to Manchester City’s Champions League home game against PSG at the Etihad.

Man City vs PSG: Matchday guide for Etihad Stadium

Manchester City host PSG at the Etihad on Wednesday in their first Champions League home game of the season, with fan activities running from midday.

Moises Caicedo during Ecuador’s match against Côte d’Ivoire, pictured for an article about his commitment to Chelsea and desire to improve.

Caicedo: Chelsea is my home, I want to keep improving

Moises Caicedo says Chelsea is 'my home' after three-plus years at the Bridge, as the 24-year-old Ecuadorian targets silverware under manager Xabi Alonso.

Newcastle United players face Arsenal in Premier League action; illustrative football imagery for an article on Coventry City’s 4-1 win over Newcastle.

Coventry City 4-1 Newcastle: Key Match Numbers

Coventry City beat Newcastle United 4-1, with goals at the 6th, 48th, 81st and 86th minutes sealing a dominant home win against a visitors who managed only 1 reply.

Arsenal players during a match, illustrating the club behind its 3-0 win over Lille, which Arteta dedicated to Ken Friar.

Arteta dedicates Arsenal's 3-0 win over Lille to Ken Friar

Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday as Arteta dedicated the win to life president Ken Friar, who died on Monday aged 92.

Arsenal players on the pitch at Emirates Stadium, illustrating the setting for their 3-0 Champions League win over Lille.

Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 with three goals in six minutes

Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 in the Champions League, with Timber, Eze and Saka scoring three goals in six second-half minutes at Emirates Stadium.

Eberechi Eze pictured in action; the Arsenal midfielder scored in the 3-0 Champions League win over Lille.

Eze scores as Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 in Champions League

Ebere Eze scored his first goal of the season as Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 at Emirates Stadium, going two-from-two in the Champions League.