The Chicago Stars announced the signing of Spanish defender Leila Ouahabi to a three-year contract through the 2028 season. Ouahabi joins as a free agent from reigning WSL champions, Manchester City, and will join the Stars pending the receipt of an International Transfer Certificate.
“I’m very excited to join the Chicago Stars,” said Ouahabi in a statement. “This is a new challenge in my career, and I can’t wait to meet my teammates and start playing. I look forward to bringing my soccer knowledge
and experience to the team, and I want to give the best version of me and help my team do the same. Chicago is building a great project, and I think this is the right place to be to compete at my best.”
The 33-year-old left back was most recently was a member of the WSL Championship-winning Manchester City team that also won the FA Women’s Cup in May. With Manchester City Ouahabi made over 100 appearances and has also contributed over 100 goal contributions as a defender.
“We’re thrilled to welcome (Ouahabi) to the Chicago Stars and are excited to add her experience and international pedigree to our roster,” said Chicago Stars FC President Karen Leetzow in a statement. “Leila is a proven winner and has excelled at some of the biggest clubs and competitions in the world, as well as on the international stage with Spain, and we look forward to her bolstering our back line following a historic season with Manchester City.”
Ouahabi began her professional career in the 2011-2012 Primera División season with Barcelona before leaving to Valencia where she stayed for three seasons before returning back to Barcelona. In her second Barcelona stint she contributed to Barcelona’s dominance winning three Primera División, five Copa de la Reina titles and an UEFA Women’s Champions League title which earned Barcelona the treble in 2021.
The defender has also appeared for the Spanish Women’s National Team since 2016 with 66 caps and one goal over the past decade. Her most recent appearance for Spain was in the final of the 2025 European Women’s Championship against England which Spain tied 1-1 before ultimately losing the title via a penalty shootout.
The Stars are second-to-last in the NWSL standings at 15 and are in the midst of a search for a new general manager following the firing of Richard Feuz. Chicago returns from the NWSL midseason break for its first match on July 5, against the second-place Utah Royals.
