Chicago Stars sign Leila Ouahabi following Man City departure

Chicago Stars sign Leila Ouahabi following Man City departure

class="wp-block-paragraph">The Chicago Stars have landed one of Europe’s most decorated defenders in Spanish international Leila Ouahabi. She joins the NWSL outfit on a three-year deal through 2028.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Announced Tuesday, the move sees the veteran defender arrive from Manchester City as a free agent, pending international transfer clearance.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’m very excited to join the Chicago Stars,” Ouahabi said in her club statement. “This is a new challenge in my career, and I can’t wait to meet my teammates and start playing. I look forward to bringing my soccer knowledge and experience to the team, and I want to give the best version of me and help my team do the same. Chicago is building a great project, and I think this is the right place to be to compete at my best.”

class="wp-block-paragraph">Ouahabi arrives in Chicago following a historic Women’s Super League campaign with Manchester City. She departs after helping the side win the 2025/26 WSL title — the club’s first in 10 years. Soon after, she secured the 2026 Women’s FA Cup to complete a domestic double.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Across four seasons in Manchester, she made 106 appearances in all competitions, including 68 in the league. Rightfully, she earned a place in City’s prestigious ‘100 Club’.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">“We’re thrilled to welcome Leila to the Chicago Stars and are excited to add her experience and international pedigree to our roster,” said Chicago Stars President Karen Leetzow. “Leila is a proven winner and has excelled at some of the biggest clubs and competitions in the world, as well as on the international stage with Spain, and we look forward to her bolstering our back line following a historic season with Manchester City.”

A new chapter in the USA for Leila Ouahabi

class="wp-block-paragraph">Ouahabi began her professional career with FC Barcelona Femení in 2011 before spending three seasons at Valencia. She returned to Barcelona in 2016 and enjoyed a trophy-filled second spell. She added three league titles, five Copa de la Reina trophies, two Supercopa crowns and a Champions League title to her growing résumé.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Ouahabi also played a key role in Barcelona’s historic 2021 treble-winning campaign. She helped the club lift the league title, domestic cup and Champions League.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Internationally, Ouahabi has earned 66 caps for Spain and represented her country at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022 and 2025. She helped Spain reach the Euro 2025 final before falling to England on penalties in the first shootout-decided final in tournament history.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">One of Europe’s most decorated left-backs, Ouahabi gives the Stars a proven winner as they look to rebuild and return to contention.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">For the Stars, the signing is about more than adding experience. It is about bringing in a serial winner who could help shape the club’s next chapter.

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