Report: Laila Harbert to sign with San Diego Wave FC

ALICANTE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 28: Laila Harbert of England looks on during the U20 Women's International match between Spain and England at Albir Garden Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Mateo Villalba - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images San Diego Wave are getting set to add young depth to their midfield. The Telegraph reported that Laila Harbert is on the verge of making a permanent jump to the National Women’s Soccer League from Arsenal of the English Women’s Super League.

The move will likely not be officially announced until the Summer and Arsenal are expected to keep a buy-back option in the deal. The 19-year-old midfielder signed her first professional contract when Jonas Eidevall was still with Arsenal and has featured across multiple levels of the youth national team system for England. Harbert was also named the captain of England’s under-17 team when the team was coached by Natalie Henderson, who is currently a member of the San Diego Wave coaching staff.

Excl: Laila Harbert on verge of joining San Diego Wave after Arsenal accepted a bid from the US club. England youth international to reunite with Jonas Eidevall and Natalie Henderson. Full story: https://t.

co/bzf82xDNat — Kathryn Batte (@KathrynBatte) May 18, 2026 Harbert was most recently on loan with Everton for the second half of the WSL season, and spent a part in the United States with 2025 the NWSL’s Portland Thorns for the second half of 2025 season where she made five appearances. It’s unclear how Harbert will fit into the Wave midfield which has featured great young players through 10 matches with players like Kimmi Ascanio, Gia Corley, Lia Godfrey and Laurina Fazer all performing well. Wave co-captain Kenza Dali is one of the oldest players on the team at 35 years old, but has showed no signs of slowing down with her dominant presence in the midfield.