San Diego Wave FC officially announced the acquisition of English youth international midfielder Laila Harbert from Arsenal and have signed her through the 2029 NWSL season. The length of the deal ties Catarina Macario’s contract for the longest currently on the Wave’s books.
“We’re really excited to welcome [Harbert] to San Diego. She’s an exciting young talent with exceptional technical quality, vision, and composure under pressure,” said Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton. “We look
forward to supporting her continued development and seeing the impact she will make with this team this season and for years to come.”
In May, The Telegraph reported that Arsenal had accepted a bid from the Wave for Harbert to rejoin the NWSL after a loan spell in 2025 with the Portland Thorns, and a loan at Everton in for the second half of the 2025-2026 WSL season. The report also said that Arsenal have kept a buy-back option in the deal.
The 19-year-old midfielder joined Arsenal at the youth level when Wave Head Coach Jonas Eidevall was still in charge and has also been coached by Wave assistant coach, Natalie Henderson on the international level. With Henderson, Harbert wore the captain’s armband for the Lionesses with England’s Under-17 national team.
“I’m super excited and I think this is an ambitious club, and that matches my drive and my personality,” said Harbert. “I think that the playing style is really attractive here and really aligns with what I’m going after.”
The signing further strengthens the Wave’s midfield which currently features various young players like Gia Corley, Lia Godfrey, Kimmi Ascanio and Laurina Fazer. In the the Wave’s most recent match their co-captain and stalwart in the midfield, Kenza Dali, was on the bench and played no minutes after being listed on the injury report.
Eidevall trusts young players and highlights midfield play which could do well for Harbert’s development and help the Wave this season and beyond. The Wave play their next match on the road against the first-place Washington Spirit on Sunday, August 2.
