Photo copyright EM Dash-Imagn Images
Gotham FC has added Spanish international defender Leila Ouahabi on a contract through the 2028 NWSL season, with the club unveiling the 33-year-old during halftime of Sunday’s match against Angel City FC.
The signing was announced the same day Ouahabi and Chicago Stars FC mutually agreed to part ways. Ouahabi made her Chicago debut on July 18 against Angel City and went on to start nine of her 11 appearances for the club.
Before her brief NWSL stint, Ouahabi spent four seasons at Manchester City, where she was part of the club’s WSL and FA Cup-winning campaign in 2025-26. She made more than 100 appearances across competitions for City.
Before her time in England, Ouahabi spent two stints with Barcelona, winning five Spanish league titles and seven Copa de la Reina trophies. She was also part of Barcelona’s 2020-21 UEFA Women’s Champions League-winning team, which completed a continental treble that season.
At the international level, Ouahabi has more than 60 appearances for Spain and featured at the 2019 World Cup as well as Euro 2022 and Euro 2025. She’ll wear No. 4 for Gotham.
