Just hours after defender Leila Ouahabi and Chicago Stars FC agreed to a mutual contract termination, Gotham FC introduced the Spanish international as the club’s latest signing at halftime of Sunday’s home match against Angel City FC.
Gotham FC president of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West presented Ouahabi with the No. 4 jersey as the 33-year-old left-back was cheered by Gotham supporters.
“Leila is an experienced defender who has competed and won at the highest levels of the game,” Averbuch West said. “She brings quality, versatility and a winning mentality to our back line, along with valuable experience in both Europe and the NWSL. We’re delighted to welcome Leila to Gotham FC and look forward to what she will bring to our group.”
Ouahabi has signed with Gotham through the 2028 season. She made 11 appearances for Chicago this season, logging 838 minutes.
Gotham FC Adds Depth to Back Line With Ouahabi Signing
Now, the former Barcelona and Manchester City defender will look to strengthen Gotham’s back line. The Bats have lost Emily Sonnett and Kayla Duran to season-ending knee injuries, and Guro Reiten has spent the majority of minutes at left-back following Lilly Reale’s June 17 trade to Boston Legacy FC.
“I’m very excited to join Gotham FC and begin this next chapter of my career,” said Ouahabi. “This is a club with big ambitions and a winning mentality, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the group and competing for more trophies. I’m ready to get to work, help the team in any way I can and represent Gotham FC and its supporters.”
Juan Carlos Amorós on Ouahabi: ‘Her Football IQ Can Give Us Also Another Dimension’
Following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Angel City, South Ward Central asked head coach Juan Carlos Amorós how Ouahabi could impact Gotham late in the season with the NWSL playoffs around the corner.
“Leila is obviously a player with incredible experience,” Amorós responded. “She’s played in some of the best teams in the world, and arguably the best national team in the world as well. She really understands how we play without even being here. So that’s obviously something that for us is very important, that football IQ that she has, and she can give us also another dimension.
“I think at this point in time, obviously it’s not secret with some of the players that we have out, and we don’t have a lot of players. We’re actually a short roster at this moment in time. The window is closing, and I think Leila coming to us is fantastic. She is someone that I feel is going to be able to adapt to the team very quickly, and I think we’re all excited for her to be part of the club going forward for sure.”
Ouahabi could make her Gotham debut when the Bats return from the international break on Saturday, October 17 against the rival Washington Spirit at Audi Field.
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