Barcelona signed Brazilian international forward Kerolin from Manchester City on a four-year contract reportedly starting in 2026, marking a record transfer fee in the Women’s Super League (WSL) [1, 2]. The deal, announced on August 4, 2026, is reported to be worth around 1.5 million euros (approximately £1.3 million or $1.73 million), making it the highest fee paid for a female Brazilian player and the largest fee ever received by a WSL club for a sale [3, 1, 2, 4].
Kerolin is 26 years old and joined Manchester City in January 2025 from North Carolina Courage on a contract initially running until 2028 [3, 1, 2, 4]. In the 2025 WSL season, she scored nine goals and contributed five assists in 15 appearances, playing a key role in Manchester City securing their first WSL title in 10 years as well as winning the Women’s FA Cup [3, 1, 2, 4]. On the international stage, Kerolin has scored 15 goals in 62 appearances for Brazil since her senior debut in 2018. She was a member of the Brazil squad that won the 2022 Women’s Copa America [3, 1, 2, 4].
Barcelona have faced a summer of departures, losing Spanish internationals including Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Salma Parraluelo, and Ona Batlle [3, 4]. The club aims to maintain its status as a top contender with the addition of Kerolin, seen by Barcelona as a player at one of the best moments of her career. The club said the signing "is another clear statement of FC Barcelona's ambition" and that Kerolin "adds even more quality to a team whose ambition remains unchanged: to challenge for every title and, once again, strive to win it all" [1, 4].
Meanwhile, Manchester City strengthened their squad for the new season by signing England forward Beth Mead to bolster their attack following Kerolin's departure [3, 4].
Barcelona is scheduled to start their Liga F campaign on August 30 against CD Tenerife [1, 2].
