Manchester City defender Laia Aleixandri joins Barcelona on free transfer | OneFootball

Laia Aleixandri (left) has joined Barcelona on a free transfer. (Natalie Mincher/SPP)

Barcelona have completed the signing of Manchester City defender Laia Aleixandri on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old returns to Barcelona after coming through the club’s youth ranks, before joining Atletico Madrid in 2017.

After five years in Madrid, she joined Man City in 2022, making 88 appearances and scoring three goals.

It was announced after the final game of the 2024-25 season that Aleixandri would leave the club at the end of her contract this summer.

Barcelona have now confirmed that the Spanish international will join the club and link up with the squad after Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

Speaking to Barça’s official media, Aleixandri said: “It’s a dream come true to be here, with my family, on such a special day, alongside the people who have always supported me and who are die-hard Barça fans.

“Signing this contract with the club of my life and with the president himself makes me feel right at home.”

Laia Aleixandri signs four-year deal with Barcelona

Laia Aleixandri has signed a four-year deal with Barcelona which will commence at the end of the month.

She has already been pictured in Barcelona colours during a signing ceremony which was attended by club president Joan Laporta, and board member Xavi Puig.

Aleixandri came through Barcelona’s academy at the same time as the likes of Aitana Bonmati and Ona Batlle.

Barcelona in a statement on their website, wrote: “A Barca member since birth, Laia now returns to the club she considers home, bringing talent, experience, and defensive solidity to Pere Romeu’s side.

“She is a versatile player, capable of covering several positions across the back line, with strong ball-playing ability and a high level of competitiveness.”

Manchester City also posted a statement in which they wished the 24-year-old good luck for the future.

Who will Barcelona look to sign this summer?

Barcelona could look to add to the signing of Laia Aleixandri during the summer transfer window.

The Spanish giants are also in the race to sign Swedish starlet Felicia Schroder from BK Hacken.

Schroder, 18, is one of the brightest talents in European football, with Chelsea also keen.

Aleixandri is a replacement for Ingrid Engen who announced last week that she will leave the club at the end of her contract.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have called on LaLiga  – the top division in men’s football – to change financial fair play (FFP) rules.

Currently, LaLiga accounts for the budget of the women’s team in the same budget as that of the men’s team.

If Barcelona convince LaLiga to change the rules, it could give both the women’s and men’s sides more room in future transfer markets to sign players.