Barcelona has signed Brazilian forward Kerolin from Manchester City in a transfer deal reported to be around £1.25 million, marking a record fee for a Women’s Super League (WSL) sale. The 26-year-old has joined the Spanish club on a four-year contract, surpassing the previous WSL transfer record held by Olivia Smith’s £1 million move from Liverpool to Arsenal in 2025.

Kerolin played a significant role in Manchester City’s success during the 2024-2025 season, contributing to the team’s first Women’s Super League title in a decade as well as securing the Women’s FA Cup. She joined City in January 2025 from North Carolina Courage and spent 18 months with the club before her transfer to Barcelona. Meanwhile, Manchester City has bolstered their squad by signing English forward Beth Mead on a free transfer from Arsenal ahead of the new season.

Barcelona’s acquisition of Kerolin comes amid a period of transition for the Spanish side, which has recently seen the departure of several Spain internationals, including Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Ona Batlle, and Salma Paralluelo. The club described Kerolin’s signing as a clear indicator of their ambition to maintain their status among the world’s top women’s football teams. In an official statement, Barcelona emphasized their commitment to assembling the best talent with the goal of competing for every available title and continuing to set standards of excellence.

The transfer fee for Kerolin represents not only a record for Barcelona but is also reportedly the highest amount received by any English club for a female player, edging past the fees for Olivia Smith as well as Melvine Malard, who moved from Manchester United to Chelsea for £850,000 earlier in 2025. The deal highlights the growing financial investment and competitiveness in women’s football, particularly within the European leagues.

Both clubs stand to benefit from the move: Barcelona gains a player known for her creativity and match-deciding ability, aligning with their ambitions, while Manchester City further recalibrate their squad after significant player changes in recent months. The transfer underscores the evolving dynamics of women’s football as clubs increasingly engage in high-profile signings.