18yo Arsenal midfielder signs first professional contract | OneFootball

Laila Harbert has marked her 18th birthday in unforgettable style, signing her first professional contract with Arsenal.

The highly-rated central midfielder and playmaker recently captained England U-17 at both the European Championship and the World Cup, cementing her reputation as a rising star in women’s football.

Harbert joined the Arsenal Academy in 2016 at the age of nine and has since played a pivotal role in the success of the club’s U-16 and U-21 teams, winning multiple trophies during her development.

“It’s such a proud moment for me and my family to be able to put pen to paper on a professional contract at a club that feels like home,” Harbert said. “I joined Arsenal’s academy at such a young age, so to be able to invest my future in a place that I’ve grown up in is a special feeling.”

Harbert made her senior debut in May 2024, coming off the bench in Arsenal’s exhibition game against the A-League All-Stars Women in Melbourne. She further impressed during the club’s pre-season tour in Washington DC this summer, where her 78th-minute appearance helped secure a 2-1 victory over the Washington Spirit.

A highly technical player with excellent vision and a commanding presence on the pitch, Harbert is expected to compete for a first-team place in the coming seasons alongside established stars such as Kyra Cooney-Cross and Victoria Pelova. Her ability to lead, demonstrated by captaining England at international tournaments, underlines her maturity and potential.

In the short term, Harbert may follow the pathway of other young talents by going on loan in the WSL or Championship to gain regular first-team experience. She previously honed her game through a dual signing with Watford, and further loan spells could help her continue to develop.

Her long-term potential has drawn comparisons to Kim Little, whose leadership and technical mastery have been central to Arsenal’s success, and even to Cesc Fàbregas, renowned for his creativity and vision for the men’s team. Harbert’s precise passing, both short and long, and her ability to unlock defences make her a natural successor in Arsenal’s playmaker role.

Harbert is part of a talented new generation of academy graduates at Arsenal, including Michelle Agyemang, Teyah Goldie, Naomi Williams, Freya Godfrey, and Katie Reid. These young players have all signed professional contracts and represent the future of the club, with high hopes that they will help shape Arsenal’s success for years to come.