Laila Harbert
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.jpg) Harbert with the Portland Thorns in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Laila Minni Harbert[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 3 January 2007 | ||
| Place of birth | England | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Everton | ||
| Number | 16 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2025 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | → Watford (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2025 | → Southampton (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 2025 | → Portland Thorns (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Everton (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2023 | England U17 | 30 | (5) |
| 2024–2025 | England U19 | 8 | (1) |
| 2025– | England U20 | 3 | (0) |
| 2025– | England U23 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 02:09, 28 April 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 28 October 2025 | |||
Laila Minni Harbert (born 3 January 2007) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Women's Super League club Everton on loan from Arsenal and the England under-23s.
Club career
Arsenal
On 24 May 2024, Harbert made her senior, non-competitive, debut for Arsenal in their 1–0 win against A-League All-Stars Women as part of Arsenal's 2024 post-season tour.[4] She then went on to feature in Arsenal's 1–2 win against Washington Spirit, coming on as a sub for Alessia Russo in the 78th minute.[5]
Harbert signed her first professional contract with Arsenal on 3 January 2025 after nine years at the club.[6]
Watford (dual-sign loan)
At the start of the 2023-2024 season, Harbert signed on dual-sign agreement with Women's National League side Watford alongside fellow Young Gunners Michelle Agyemang and Katie Reid.[7] She featured in 17 games for Watford across all competitions, scoring her first senior goal and hat-trick in a 6–1 win away at Southampton to keep Watford in the FA Cup.[8]
Southampton (loan)
After signing her first professional contract with parent club Arsenal, Harbert signed on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season with Women's Championship side Southampton FC on 23 January 2025.[9] Harbert made 9 appearances across all competitions for Saints.
Portland Thorns (loan)
On 25 August 2025, Harbert joined NWSL club Portland Thorns FC on a loan through the remainder of the Thorns' 2025 campaign.[10] She made her NWSL debut one month later, coming on as a second-half substitute for Hina Sugita in a 26 September defeat to Gotham FC.[11]
Everton (loan)
On 28 January 2026, Harbert joined WSL club Everton on loan through to the end of the 2025–26 season.[12]
International career
Harbert has represented the England Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 national teams.
Harbert was part of the England squad[13] who got to the semi-final of the 2023 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, where they ended their run with a 3–1 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals.[14] The midfielder later captained the Under-17 side[15] to the final of the 2024 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, where they were again beaten by Spain in a 0–4 loss in Malmö, Sweden.[16]
Towards the end of 2024, Harbert was also given the captain's armband for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup as England looked to overcome their previous defeats by rivals Spain. The England side were defeated again in the semi-finals by the Spanish team, and then beaten by the United States in the third-place playoff to finish fourth.[17]
Harbert made her Under-19 debut in the Albir Garden Tournament in yet another defeat to Spain, starting all three of England's games in the tournament.[18]
Harbert received her first call-up for the Under-23 squad on 15 October 2025, making the jump up from the U-19 squad.[19]
Having made her debut for the Under-23s in a 5-0 defeat to Germany[20], Harbert then received her first call-up for the England Under-20 squad for their first training camp in preparation for the 2026 Under-20 World Cup. Harbert made her debut for the England Under-20 side in a 1-2 win against China.[21]
Playing style
Harbert has been described as a technical player with vision and a commanding presence. She is known for her passing, both short and long.[22]