Laia Codina, world champion with Spain, will play for Arsenal next season. Barça announced on Tuesday the transfer of the 23-year-old central defender, who started in the four World Cup qualifiers although she withdrew due to injury in the final. The Catalan, formed in the Blaugrana youth academy, did not have much prominence last season, substituting behind Mapi León and Irene Paredes.
“I am very excited, I can’t wait to start with the team and be a gunner. I knew everything about the history of this club, so when I found out that Arsenal were interested I didn’t think twice. We want to compete in all four competitions this season and I’m looking forward to creating some memories with our fans here,” the defense said in the English club’s media.
Codina leaves Barça after settling in the Barça first team in the 2020-21 season, although his debut took place on October 13, 2019 in a match for the first Iberdrola. The following course, 2021-22, she went on loan to Milan and returned a year later to the culé discipline. During her time at the Rossoneri club, she played a total of 14 games between Serie A and the Champions League.
“The club wishes him good luck and success in his new stage, both personally and professionally,” Barça said goodbye to the Girona player, who a few days ago also transferred striker Geyse Ferreira to Manchester United for 300,000 euros. The center-back inaugurated her list of titles at Barça with three league titles, two Champions League, two Spanish Super Cups and two Queen’s Cups.
“We believe that Laia is a top player with a lot of potential to continue to develop and progress here with us at Arsenal,” said Arsenal’s director of women’s football Clare Wheatley, while manager Jonas Eidevall described the Catalan as a “world-class defender” and highlighted her “great combination of technical ability and physical presence”.
