Spanish defender Laia Codina, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s recent World Cup victory, has officially joined Arsenal Women after completing her transfer to London Colney. The 23-year-old center-back’s move follows her standout performance in Australia, where she started in four matches, including the triumphant 1-0 final against England on August 20.
Codina’s acquisition further bolsters Arsenal’s defensive capabilities and comes on the heels of her successful year with Barcelona. Alongside her team, she secured the Women’s Champions League title at the close of the previous season, along with clinching the Liga F championship in Spain. Remarkably, Codina’s Barcelona side lost just five points across 30 league games.
Jonas Eidevall, the head coach of Arsenal, expressed his excitement about working with Codina, praising her technical prowess and physical presence. Her extensive experience at the highest levels of the sport and her trophy-winning record made her an enticing addition to the squad.
Notably, Codina is among the 81 players who have taken a stand against playing for the Spanish national team until Luis Rubiales steps down as the president of the Spanish FA.
Originally hailing from Catalonia, Codina began her journey with Barcelona at the age of 14, progressing through the ranks and making her debut in 2019. She went on to accumulate 36 appearances for the club. A loan spell at AC Milan during the 2021/22 season further enriched her experience.
Codina will wear the No 27 shirt for Arsenal, marking her as the fourth summer signing for the club. The other recent additions include center-back Amanda Ilestedt from PSG, Alessia Russo from Manchester United, and Cloe Lacasse from Benfica.
The Women’s Super League (WSL) is set to kick off on October 1, featuring six matches including the clash between reigning champions Chelsea and Tottenham, broadcast live on Sky Sports at 5.30pm. The league’s increased popularity, boosted by England’s European Championship win, anticipates even greater attention this summer thanks to the Women’s World Cup campaign.
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