Brighton & Hove Albion have signed Swiss international midfielder Lia Wälti. The Seagulls announced the news via a post on their official club website earlier today.

What happened?

Lia Wälti joins Brighton & Hove Albion following a spell with Italian Serie A Women club Juventus.

Wälti spent one season in Italy, winning the Serie A Women’s Cup and Supercoppa Italiana. The midfielder is best known for her seven-year spell with Arsenal.

Why it matters for Brighton & Hove Albion

Wälti made 183 appearances for The Gunners in all competitions, winning the Barclays Women’s Super League title, UEFA Women’s Champions League and two Subway Women’s League Cups in the process. On the international stage, Wälti has been capped by Switzerland on 140 occasions in which she has scored five goals.

What comes next?

After adding Wälti to his squad, Brighton & Hove Albion boss Dario Vidošić said “Lia is a huge addition to the team ahead of the new season. She brings a similar leadership profile to the group as Fran Kirby – a huge amount of experience at the very top end of the game, with silverware to show for it. With the Seagulls currently sitting 8th in Premier League with 53 points from 38 games, having scored 52 goals and conceded 46, the signing of Wälti is a significant boost to their squad, especially as they are 32 points behind leaders Arsenal in the title race.