Arsenal agree loans for 18yo midfielder and 19yo winger

Arsenal deals & transfers January 2025

Arsenal have announced two more loan deals, this time for academy graduates Laila Harbert and Freya Godfrey, both heading to Barclays Women’s Championship clubs to gain valuable first-team experience.

These moves are part of Arsenal’s ongoing efforts to provide competitive opportunities for their young talents, while maintaining a pathway to the first team.

Laila Harbert, a central midfielder who joined Arsenal at the age of nine, has agreed to join Southampton on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

Harbert signed her first professional contract with Arsenal earlier this month, cementing her status as one of the club’s most promising prospects. After gaining experience in 14 appearances during a dual-registration agreement with Watford last season, Harbert’s move to Southampton will allow her to test herself further under the guidance of Arsenal legend and Southampton’s technical director Marieanne Spacey.

Harbert’s leadership credentials are also well-known, having captained the England U17 team at the World Cup in the Dominican Republic. This loan move is expected to provide Harbert with crucial development opportunities as she hopefully transitions from standout academy player to senior-level.

Meanwhile, Freya Godfrey, a talented winger who has progressed through Arsenal’s ranks since joining the academy in 2018, will join London City Lionesses for the remainder of the season.

Godfrey, who made her senior debut for Arsenal in May 2023 and her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut in December 2024, has already impressed during previous loan spells with Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic.

London City Lionesses, owned by Michelle Kang (also owner of Lyon and Washington Spirit), have long been admirers of Godfrey, but squad space limitations delayed the agreement according to Tim Stillman.

The club recently parted ways with Ruesha Littlejohn, clearing room for Godfrey’s addition.

Godfrey joins her Arsenal teammate Teyah Goldie, who is already on loan at London City Lionesses, where she is expected to build on her strong form from earlier loan spells.

These moves follow Arsenal’s earlier decision to loan Vivienne Lia to Southampton and Maddy Earl to Sheffield United earlier this month.

Lia, an attacking midfielder with two senior Arsenal appearances to her name, signed her first professional contract before joining Southampton earlier this month.

Similarly, Earl, who spent the first half of the season with Bristol City on a dual-registration agreement, heads to Sheffield United to continue her development as an attacking midfielder.

In addition, Arsenal’s WSL home fixture against West Ham United has now been confirmed. The match will take place at Mangata Pay UK Stadium (Meadow Park) on Sunday, 2nd March, with a 5:30pm kick-off.