San Diego Wave FC inked a deal with English midfielder Laila Harbert on July 28, 2026. The 19-year-old makes her permanent transfer after a decade with Arsenal.

SAN DIEGO — Following a two-goal shutout loss at Snapdragon Stadium, the Wave wasted no time adding to its midfield depth. This signing marks Laila Harbert’s return to the NWSL, as she had a short stint with the Portland Thorns in 2025.

Harbert was brought up in the Arsenal system, where she joined as a 9-year-old. In her decade within the Lioness system, she earned minutes with the first team. She also captained the U-17 club in the European Championship and World Cup. She is also no stranger to being the new kid at school, as she went on loan to four different clubs.

San Diego will be a more permanent home, though, as this is a permanent transfer with a contract through the 2029 season. Harbert joins a midfield consisting of Kimmi Ascanio, Gia Corley, Laurina Fazer, Tatum Wynalda, Jordan Fusco, Kiki Pickett, Lia Godfrey, and Captain Kenza Dali.

This begs the question: where does Laila Harbert fit on the depth chart?

As it stands right now, earning some late-game minutes as a sub seems the most likely option. While Harbert brings undeniable quality to the roster, there is plenty of talent and experience available for coach Jonas Eidevall to choose from.

Up to Eidevall

But one philosophy Eidevall seems particularly fond of is giving the youth a go. And it would help that Harbert has a history with him and Assistant Coach Natalie Henderson. Henderson was the head coach of the same U-17 Arsenal club that Harbert wore the captain’s band for.

Despite her age and the internal competition, it seems that Wave FC as an organization is investing in Harbert as a future face of the club. The move comes on the heels of Captain midfielder Kenza Dali missing that match with a lower leg injury.

Harbert with her left foot at the U-17 Euros 🚀 pic.twitter.com/RKn3CN01cH

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) July 28, 2026

This isn’t to say that Dali will soon be replaced. But, it is a reminder that the French star is not going to be in the league forever. Someone of her talent and leadership would be expected to bequeath those qualities to the next generation. We have seen Dali embrace this role with players like Kimmi Ascanio.

Between Dali’s injury, Adriana Leon’s return to the pitch, and now the addition of Harbert, changes are swirling around the club. Wave fans turn to August 2’s game between the Wave and Spirit to see if this signing will have an immediate effect.

Nate Tubbs

Nate Tubbs is a recent graduate of Journalism at San Diego State University. In his time at SDSU, he wrote and photographed several different sports for Aztec Link, the school’s NIL collective. He also co-hosted a weekly podcast featuring Aztec athletes, sharing their stories and goals for the season. Tubbs is passionate about photography, storytelling, and most of all, San Diego sports.