NWSL clubs eye Lucy Bronze after Barcelona exit – sources

NWSL clubs are interested in signing England defender Lucy Bronze who will leave Barcelona when her contract expires, sources have told ESPN.

Bronze, one of the most decorated players in women’s football, joined the reigning Liga F winners from Manchester City in 2022 and won seven out of eight possible titles. Securing victory in two back-to-back Champions League finals took her tally to five after winning the competition three times with former club Lyon.

The 32-year-old has not renewed her contract and will become a free agent, the club have announced.

A Barça statement said: “Seven titles out of eight possible. This is the legacy left to FC Barcelona by one of the best defenders in the history of women’s football. The club wishes Lucy Bronze the best of luck and success in her new stage, both personally and professionally.”

She made 70 appearances for Barça, scoring five goals, and started the Champions League final victories over Wolfsburg in 2023 and Lyon last campaign.

Barcelona have also announced the departure of Sandra Paños and Mariona Caldentey. The latter is set to join Arsenal in the coming weeks, sources told ESPN. Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Mapi León and Marta Torrejón were all poised to be out of contract but signed new terms last season.

Bronze’s former club teammate and England compatriot Ellie Roebuck signed a two-year deal with the Catalan side from Man City as a free agent.

The 115-cap international previously played for Women’s Super League sides Liverpool, Everton and Sunderland (now Championship) and had two spells with Manchester City.