Arsenal midfielder Laila Harbert has joined National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side Portland Thorns on loan.

Academy graduate Harbert signed her first professional contract in January, having risen through Arsenal's youth ranks since the age of nine.

The 18-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with WSL2 side Southampton.

Portland Thorns are 5th in the NWSL, with Harbert's deal running through to the end of the 2025 season.

Thorns head coach Rob Gale is English, and a lifelong Arsenal supporter.

Believe talks have been ongoing for at least the last couple of weeks with both sides very keen to get a deal over the line. A very exciting, and different, loan move for a player who one of her former coaches told me was like both Xavi and Iniesta!

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) August 25, 2025