Leila Ouahabi joins Chicago Stars from Manchester City

Chicago Star have confirmed the permanent signing of Spain international Leila Ouahabi on a 2 years deal. The 33-year-old joined Chicago Star after leaving Manchester City as a free agent.

“I’m very excited to join the Chicago Stars. This is a new challenge in my career, and I can’t wait to meet my teammates and start playing. I look forward to bringing my soccer knowledge and experience to the team and I want to give the best version of me and help my team do the same. Chicago is building a great project, and I think this is the right place to be to compete at my best.” Said Ouahabi. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Leila to Chicago Stars and are excited to add her experience and international pedigree to our roster. Leila is a proven winner and has excelled at some of the biggest clubs and competitions in the world, as well on the international stage with Spain, and we look forward to her bolstering our back line following a historic season with Manchester City.” Said Chicago Stars FC President Karen Leetzow. 

Life after Manchester City.

Leila Ouahabi spent four years at Manchester City making over 100 appearances for the club after joining from Barcelona in 2022. During her time in Manchester, she established herself as one of the Women’s Super League’s most experienced and dependable defenders, helping City secure the WSL title and becoming the first Catalan player to win England’s top division.  

Leila Ouahabi leaves Manchester City as one of the most accomplished left-backs in the women’s game. Renowned for her composure in possession, tactical intelligence and defensive consistency, she has combined technical quality with vast experience at both club and international level. Equally effective in building attacks from deep as she is in defensive situations, Ouahabi offers excellent positional awareness, accurate distribution and the ability to contribute in the final third. Her leadership, professionalism and winning mentality have made her a valuable presence on and off the pitch, while her experience in domestic and European competition provides a calming influence in high-pressure moments. Throughout her spell at City, she proved to be a reliable and influential figure within the squad, consistently performing at the highest level.

She has now signed permanently for Chicago Star. The move signals a step forward in her career as she continues at the top level of the women’s game. 

What Leila brings to Chicago Star.

Leila Ouahabi brings experience, composure and proven quality to the Chicago Stars defence. Primarily operating as a left-back, she combines strong defensive awareness with excellent technical ability, allowing her to contribute effectively at both ends of the pitch. Comfortable in possession and confident in progressing the ball from deep areas, Ouahabi provides quality distribution, intelligent positioning and consistent decision-making under pressure. Her experience at the highest levels of domestic and international football, alongside her leadership qualities and winning mentality, make her a valuable addition to Chicago’s squad.

While she has predominantly played as a left-back throughout her career, Leila Ouahabi’s tactical intelligence, technical quality and adaptability allow her to perform in a variety of defensive roles. Equally capable of operating as a wing-back or on the left side of a back three, she offers flexibility across different systems while maintaining her defensive reliability and attacking contribution. Her ability to balance defensive responsibilities with progressive play ensures she remains an important asset in multiple tactical setups for Chicago Stars.

International team.                                                                                            

Having made her senior debut for Spain in 2016, Leila Ouahabi has established herself as one of the country’s most experienced and dependable defenders. A regular presence within the national team setup, she has represented Spain across multiple major international tournaments and qualification campaigns, consistently demonstrating her defensive quality, composure and tactical intelligence. Her performances at international level have showcased her ability to compete against the world’s best players while providing stability and experience to the back line. Having earned over 50 senior caps, Ouahabi’s longevity and consistency reflect both her high standards at club level and her importance within the Spanish national team throughout her career.

What this move means.                                                                                         

This signing signals clear ambition from the Chicago Stars as they look to add experience, leadership and proven quality to their squad. Ouahabi’s wealth of experience at this club and international level, combined with her defensive consistency and technical ability, provides Chicago with a player capable of making an immediate impact on and off the pitch. Her arrival adds valuable depth and reliability to the defensive unit while bringing a winning mentality developed through years of competing at the highest level of European football.

For Ouahabi, this move represents an exciting new challenge and the opportunity to bring her experience to the NWSL for the first time in her career. Having enjoyed success in Spain and England, she now has the chance to test herself in one of the world’s most competitive leagues while continuing to influence matches with her composure, intelligence and leadership. With anticipation surrounding her arrival, Chicago Stars supporters will be eager to see how her experience and quality contribute to the club’s ambitions in the remainder of the season.