Arsenal Women midfielder Laila Harbert has marked her 18th birthday by signing her first professional contract with the Gunners.

The defensive midfielder joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of nine and featured in the Gunners’ pre-season tour in the USA last year after making her senior debut against the A-League All Stars in May 2024.

England Under-17 captain Harbert led the Young Lionesses to their first ever European Championships final in 2024, as well as a fourth-place finish at the U17 World Cup in October.

Harbert, who played 14 times on dual registration with Watford last season, said: “It’s such a proud moment for me and my family to be able to put pen to paper on a professional contract at a club that feels like home.

Spoke to then-Watford Women head coach Damon Lathrope last year about Laila Harbert: "If I had to liken her to a player in the men's game, I'd say sort of like a little Xavi or Iniesta- technically superb, really efficient taking the ball, a good athlete.”https://t.co/yJWLMtSI8X

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) January 3, 2025

“I joined Arsenal’s academy at such a young age so to be able to invest my future in a place that I’ve grown up in is a special feeling.”

Arsenal Women Head of Player Development James Honeyman added: “Laila has made her way up through our academy to become part of the first-team squad, and we couldn’t be prouder of her and the way she has developed. 

“At Arsenal, one of our key focuses is to ensure that our youth players have clear development pathways into first-team football, so to watch Laila progress to the next level is a proud moment for all involved.”

Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We’re thrilled that Laila has signed her first professional contract with us. Laila has been a key part of our academy in the different age groups and has made a great start to life around the first team, thanks to lots of hard work and her dedicated attitude.

“We’re delighted to see another great prospect come through our academy set-up and we look forward to seeing Laila continue to grow here.”