Arsenal midfielder Harbert joins Portland Thorns on loan | OneFootball

Arsenal’s teenage midfielder Laila Harbert has joined American National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns on loan for the remainder of the calendar year.

Thorns announced the news via a post on their official club website this evening.

The 18-year-old moves Stateside in a bid to further her development.

Harbert is a product of the Arsenal academy system and she has gone on to force her way onto the fringes of the first team. The youngster signed her first professional terms with The Gunners earlier this year.

The player has built-up senior playing experience in loan spells with Watford and Southampton in the last couple of years.

On the international stage, Harbert has represented England at various youth levels up to and including Under-19 level.

Harbert needs regular football if she is to continue to develop at a steady rate and she will now make the step up into the NWSL with Portland Thorns. She will get the opportunity to experience playing football in one of the world’s top leagues whilst living away from home on the other side of the world.

Harbert’s loan club Portland Thorns currently occupy fifth place in the 2025 NWSL table after 17 rounds of matches.