Barcelona have signed midfielder, Keira Walsh from Manchester City in a world record transfer deal for a female player.
Walsh departs Man City after 10 seasons – including 2017 WSL Spring Series & 2017-18 WSL season – during which she scored eight goals in 211 appearances for the club and claimed eight titles including;
- 4 x Women’s League Cup
- 3 x Women’s FA Cup
- 1 x Women’s Super League.
Barcelona have paid an undisclosed world record transfer fee for a female player of around £400,000 to sign the 25 year-old midfielder, who this summer starred for England as Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses won 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro on home soil.
This decision now leaves Steph Houghton MBE as Man City’s longest-serving female player since the club went professional in 2014, with the defender now needing one appearance this season to become the club’s sole appearance record holder which she currently shares with Walsh.
The transfer fee meanwhile eclipses the circa £250,000 that Chelsea paid VfL Wolfsburg for Denmark striker, Pernile Harder in September 2020.
In a statement confirming Walsh’s departure, Man City said: “The England international will move onto pastures new ahead of the start of the 2022/23 campaign however, with the 25-year-old making the switch to Primera Division outfit Barcelona.
“Everybody at Manchester City would like to thank Keira for her contributions during her time at the Club and wish her all the best for the future.”
Walsh has signed a three-year contract with Barcelona which will see her link up with ex Man City teammate, Lucy Bronze who joined the Spanish club on a free transfer this summer, with the pair set to make their debuts away to Levante Las Planas on Sunday 11 September.
Walsh also heads to Barcelona with 50 international caps for England, having been part of their title-winning squads for 2019 SheBelieves Cup, 2022 Arnold Clark Cup and this summer’s Women’s Euros, plus made three appearances for Team GB at last summer’s Olympics.
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