Real Sociedad sign Esther Laborde until 2028 | OneFootball

Real Sociedad have strengthened their defence by signing 22-year-old Esther Laborde on a contract running to 2028. The club announced the deal on Thursday via its social channels.

The Sant Cugat native is comfortable in several roles, chiefly centre-back and holding midfield. She came through Barcelona’s academy, had the chance to link up with the first team and shared a dressing room with Alexia Putellas, Mapi León and Aitana Bonmatí.

In 2022 she left Barça on loan for Alavés, then moved to Madrid CFF after one season. She has played at a good level there since 2023, making 25 league appearances this term and becoming an important player.

Laborde arrives in Zubieta with high expectations, the club highlight her game intelligence and capacity to contribute both defensively and in build-up. She is the fourth addition for the new season, alongside Lucía Camino, Ainoa Campo and Ainhoa Marín. A demanding campaign awaits, with hope of European football, either the Women’s Champions League or the Eurocopa Cup.

Her presentation video showed a player eager to start and to meet team-mates and staff, describing an immense sense of joy and anticipation. She felt strongly welcomed during medical tests, noting that the passion for Real made her feel part of the group.

Looking ahead, she set targets of finishing as high as possible, trying to improve on third place, and competing in every match. She describes herself as someone who loves to compete at the maximum and to win.

Source: Diario Vasco