Georgia Stanway’s name has become synonymous with success and resilience in European women’s football, and now, after four trophy-laden years in Germany, the England international is set for a new chapter. FC Bayern Munich confirmed on January 10, 2026, that Stanway will depart at the end of the 2025/26 season, closing a remarkable stint that has seen her mature into one of the continent’s most dynamic midfielders.
Stanway, 27, joined Bayern in 2022 following a celebrated tenure at Manchester City and shortly after helping England secure their historic Euro 2022 triumph. Since arriving in Munich, she’s racked up 94 appearances for the Bavarian giants, lifting three Bundesliga titles, a DFB Cup, and two Supercup trophies. Her impact has been profound—she’s the first English player to don the Bayern Women’s kit, and her relentless drive has helped shape the club’s recent era of dominance.
"As the first English player at FC Bayern Women, Georgia Stanway not only made history but also stole our hearts. She matured into a top European player in Munich and played a key role in the club's success in recent years with her commitment and character," said Bianca Rech, Bayern’s director of women’s football. Rech added, "We talked a lot and openly about her future, and when she told us that she now wanted to try something new, her reasons were completely understandable. We thank her for the time we spent together and wish her all the best for the future. But we still have a few months left, and we'll make them as successful as possible together."
Stanway’s own words echoed gratitude and ambition. "I am incredibly grateful to FC Bayern for the past years. And thankfully, my time here isn't over yet. The decision to leave Munich and my team was incredibly difficult and definitely not easy for me. I've made friends and memories here that will last a lifetime, and I've also been able to develop enormously as a player and as a person. I will give everything for the club and its sporting success until my very last day, just as I have for the past three and a half years. And I want to say goodbye to the club and the fans at the end of the season with as many titles as possible," she declared in a club statement.
The timing of Stanway’s announcement is significant. With her contract expiring at the end of the season, she is now free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 1, 2026. Such is her reputation that speculation about her next destination erupted almost immediately. Arsenal, the Champions League holders and a perennial Women’s Super League (WSL) powerhouse, are widely considered the frontrunners for her signature. The north London club, which already boasts a cadre of England internationals—Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Michelle Agyemang, Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Taylor Hinds—has reportedly held talks with Stanway, although nothing has been signed yet.
A move to Arsenal would mark a return to English football for Stanway, who spent seven years at Manchester City before her Bundesliga adventure. Her potential arrival is viewed as a major coup for the Gunners, whose midfield has lacked balance and physicality since Lia Walti’s departure to Juventus last summer. Stanway’s box-to-box prowess, ability to regain possession, and knack for launching attacks are precisely the qualities Arsenal’s recruitment team have been seeking. As The Athletic noted, "Stanway could add some much needed physicality, resilience and mettle to the midfield, qualities their recruitment team are seeking."
Bayern, meanwhile, remain in imperious form. After 14 games in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, they sit six points clear at the top and are unbeaten—a testament to the squad’s depth and Stanway’s ongoing influence. Despite her looming exit, she has pledged to give her all for the club’s silverware ambitions in the months ahead. In the transfer market, Bayern have already moved to bolster their ranks, signing Bernadette Amani in anticipation of the summer shake-up.
Stanway’s journey in Munich has not been without adversity. In January 2025, she suffered her first major career injury, rupturing her lateral collateral ligament in her right knee—a setback that ended her domestic campaign. The midfielder endured between 70 and 80 "very, very tough" rehab sessions. Yet, true to her reputation, she returned stronger, declaring she felt "fitter, faster and stronger than before." Her resilience paid off: she recovered in time to start every match for England at the 2025 European Championship, helping the Lionesses clinch the title for the second consecutive tournament. Her standout solo goal against the Netherlands was a pivotal moment, as she later described England as "back to being proper England."
Internationally, Stanway’s stock has never been higher. With 87 caps for the Lionesses and two European Championship medals, she’s become a fixture in Sarina Wiegman’s midfield trio, regularly lining up alongside Keira Walsh and Ella Toone. Her relentless work rate and competitive edge have made her one of the most consistent performers for both club and country.
While Arsenal seem poised to land her signature, the transfer is not yet official. The Gunners are third in the WSL, eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City, and face a summer of significant squad turnover, with several key players—including captain Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe, Beth Mead, and Manuela Zinsberger—out of contract. The club’s leadership is already planning for the future: head coach Renee Slegers recently signed a contract extension through 2029, and former England international Jodie Taylor was appointed as technical director in January 2026.
Stanway’s legacy in Munich is already secure. She arrived as a promising talent and departs as a bona fide European star, having helped Bayern to three league crowns and further cemented her status as one of the world’s premier midfielders. Her time in Germany has seen her grow not just as a player but as a leader and role model for the next generation.
As the Bundesliga season enters its decisive phase, all eyes will be on Stanway as she bids for one last haul of silverware with Bayern. Whether she ends up in north London or elsewhere, her next move will be watched with keen interest across the women’s football landscape. For now, Bayern and their fans can savor a few more months with their English talisman—who, true to form, is determined to finish her German adventure on a high.
