San Diego Wave FC formally introduced the acquisition of English youth worldwide midfielder Laila Harbert from Arsenal and have signed her via the 2029 NWSL season. The size of the deal ties Catarina Macario’s contract for the longest presently on the Wave’s books.
MURCIA, SPAIN – JUNE 09: Laila Harbert of England runs with the ball throughout the Girls’s U20 Worldwide match between England and Japan at Murcia Stadium on June 09, 2026 in Murcia, Spain. (Picture by Francisco Macia Martinez – The FA/The FA by way of Getty Photographs) | The FA by way of Getty Photographs
“We’re actually excited to welcome [Harbert] to San Diego. She’s an thrilling younger expertise with distinctive technical high quality, imaginative and prescient, and composure below stress,” stated Sporting Director and Basic Supervisor Camille Ashton. “We sit up for supporting her continued improvement and seeing the affect she’s going to make with this crew this season and for years to come back.”
In Could, The Telegraph reported that Arsenal had accepted a bid from the Wave for Harbert to rejoin the NWSL after a mortgage spell in 2025 with the Portland Thorns, and a mortgage at Everton in for the second half of the 2025-2026 WSL season. The report additionally stated that Arsenal have stored a buy-back choice within the deal.
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The 19-year-old midfielder joined Arsenal on the youth stage when Wave Head Coach Jonas Eidevall was nonetheless in cost and has additionally been coached by Wave assistant coach, Natalie Henderson on the worldwide stage. With Henderson, Harbert wore the captain’s armband for the Lionesses with England’s Below-17 nationwide crew.
“I am tremendous excited and I believe that is an bold membership, and that matches my drive and my persona,” stated Harbert. “I believe that the taking part in type is basically engaging right here and actually aligns with what I am going after.”
The signing additional strengthens the Wave’s midfield which presently options numerous younger gamers like Gia Corley, Lia Godfrey, Kimmi Ascanio and Laurina Fazer. Within the the Wave’s most up-to-date match their co-captain and stalwart within the midfield, Kenza Dali, was on the bench and performed no minutes after being listed on the damage report.
Eidevall trusts younger gamers and highlights midfield play which may do effectively for Harbert’s improvement and assist the Wave this season and past. The Wave play their subsequent match on the street in opposition to the first-place Washington Spirit on Sunday, August 2.