Chicago Stars have secured one of Europe’s most decorated defenders in Spanish international Leila Ouahabi on a three year contract through 2028. The veteran left back joins the NWSL outfit as a free agent following her departure from Manchester City, pending international transfer clearance.

Ouahabi departs Manchester after an impressive four season spell that culminated in a historic domestic double for the Citizens. She helped City claim the 2025/26 WSL title, their first in a decade, before securing the Women’s FA Cup to complete the silverware haul. The Spanish defender made 106 appearances across all competitions during her time in England, including 68 league outings.

Ouahabi Brings Extensive Winning Pedigree

The left back arrives in Chicago with an extraordinary trophy cabinet accumulated across her career at some of Europe’s elite clubs. She began her professional journey at Barcelona in 2011 before spending three seasons at Valencia. Her return to the Catalan giants in 2016 proved remarkably fruitful, yielding three league titles, five Copa de la Reina victories, two Supercopa crowns and a Champions League trophy.

Ouahabi played a crucial role in Barcelona’s historic 2021 treble winning campaign as the club claimed the league, domestic cup and European crown simultaneously. The 66 cap Spain international represented her nation at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and featured in the 2022 and 2025 Euros campaigns.

Stars Look to Rebuild With Experienced Leadership

Chicago Stars president Karen Leetzow expressed enthusiasm about the signing, describing Ouahabi as a proven winner with international pedigree who will strengthen the team’s defensive line. The move represents an opportunity for the Stars to add experienced leadership as they look to rebuild following a difficult season.

Also read: Beth Mead Completes Manchester City Move From Arsenal After Nine Years and Multiple European Championship Triumphs

Beth Mead has joined Manchester City on a contract running until 2029, marking one of the summer window’s biggest moves.

The England forward leaves Arsenal after nine years, departing as a genuine club legend with a trophy cabinet most players spend entire careers chasing. She won the WSL title, three League Cups and the UEFA Women’s Champions League across her North London tenure. That is a sustained record of excellence.

Mead arrives at City as arguably the most decorated English attacking player of her generation. She holds the WSL assist record with 54 and scored 72 league goals. She was Euro 2022’s standout performer, top scorer, leading assist provider, Player of the Tournament before finishing second in the Ballon d’Or voting that year.

She defended England’s European crown in 2025. She has 81 senior caps and 40 international goals. These are not marginal contributions. This is a player who has defined a generation of English women’s football.

What makes this signing genuinely significant is not just Mead’s individual quality but her mentality. She performs when stakes are highest. That matters more than statistics. City won the WSL and FA Cup double last season. They return to European competition next year. Adding a player with Mead’s pedigree in major tournaments provides something intangible but real: experience winning when it matters most.

City already possess attacking firepower in Bunny Shaw and Vivianne Miedema. Mead does not replace either. She adds tactical flexibility and a different skillset. She creates chances. She scores goals. She operates across the attacking line.

The Ambition Statement

Title-winning teams stay hungry. City showed that hunger by signing Mead. Champions League football demands players who have succeeded at that level. Mead brings that directly.

Also read: María Pérez Signs New London City Deal Until 2028 as Spanish Midfielder Commits to WSL Ambitious Project

Beth Mead has become Manchester City’s first summer signing, joining on a three-year deal from Arsenal. The England international is one of the most complete attacking players in the Women’s Super League, arriving with the most assists in WSL history and the fifth-highest scoring tally. That is genuine pedigree being added to an already dominant squad.

Mead inherits the number seven shirt from Laura Coombs, who announced her retirement at the end of the 2025/26 season. Coombs made 158 appearances across seven years at City, winning every available domestic honour.

That is a significant legacy to inherit. The symbolic passing of the shirt represents generational transition at the club. Coombs leaves having won everything. Mead arrives to continue that winning culture.

The pair know each other intimately from their time competing in the WSL and representing England together. That familiarity matters. When established internationals join clubs, settling quickly is crucial. Having someone like Coombs available to show her around the new Women’s First Team facility, introduce her to the environment and share the realities of Manchester City football eases that transition considerably.

The behind-the-scenes footage of their facility tour captured genuine conversation. They discussed walking routes and their dogs with the ease of people who have competed against and alongside each other. That is the human element of transfer announcements. It is not just signings and contracts. It is relationships and continuity.

The Record Holder

Mead’s assist tally represents years of consistent creative excellence. That does not change with a shirt swap.

The Transition

Coombs’ retirement creates space for Mead to establish herself as City’s attacking focal point going forward.

Also read: Manchester City Close in on Beth Mead and Niamh Charles Signings as WSL Champions Strengthen Attack and Defence