Laila Harbert
Laila Minni Harbert 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.
Early life
Harbert grew up in Bexley, playing with a boys' team that her father coached. She moved to be closer to the Arsenal training grounds as she got to secondary school age, having joined the Arsenal Academy at age nine, and trained with the boys team between 12 and 15 years old.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. 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.Harbert signed her first professional contract with Arsenal on 3 January 2025 after nine years at the club.
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. 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.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, linking up with former Young Gunner Araya Dennis and current Gunner Vivienne Lia. 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. 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.Everton (loan)
On 28 January 2026, Harbert joined WSL club Everton on loan through to the end of the 2025–26 season.International career
Harbert has represented the England Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 national teams.Harbert was part of the England squad who got to the semi-final of the Under-17 Championship, where they ended their run with a 3–1 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals. The midfielder later captained the Under-17 side 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.
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.
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.
Harbert received her first call-up for the Under-23 squad on 15 October 2025, making the jump up from the U-19 squad.
Having made her debut for the Under-23s in a 5-0 defeat to Germany, 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.