Barcelona have completed the signing of Brazil international Kerolin from Manchester City in a deal reported to be worth around £1.25m, a fee that stands as a club record for the Spanish giants and the highest sum ever paid for a departing Women's Super League player.
The transfer surpasses two other significant deals involving English clubs this year: Liverpool's £1m sale of Olivia Smith to Arsenal, and Manchester United's £850,000 deal sending Melvine Malard to Chelsea. Kerolin's move to Catalonia therefore sets a new benchmark for fees generated by WSL clubs in player sales.
The 26-year-old forward had only been at Manchester City for a year and a half, having joined from North Carolina Courage in January 2025. Despite the relatively short stay, she made a strong impact, playing a key role as City claimed both the WSL title and the Women's FA Cup last season.
Her exit comes shortly after Manchester City bolstered their forward line by bringing in England international Beth Mead on a free transfer following her departure from Arsenal, suggesting the club has been actively reshaping its attacking options this summer.
For Barcelona, the reigning European champions, Kerolin's signing is viewed as a forward-thinking acquisition. Club officials believe her blend of speed and dribbling ability makes her particularly suited to excelling on the Champions League stage, with hopes she can establish herself as a consistent goal threat in Europe's premier club competition.
The move arrives during a summer of significant squad turnover for Barcelona, who have bid farewell to several prominent Spanish internationals, including Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Ona Batlle, and Salma Paralluelo. Kerolin's arrival is being positioned as part of a broader strategy to refresh the squad while maintaining the club's status among Europe's elite.
In an official statement, Barcelona described the signing as evidence of their continued ambition in the women's game: "The signing of Kerolin Nicoli is another clear statement of FC Barcelona's ambition. The club remains committed to bringing together the best players in world football with the aim of staying at the top of the game and continuing to set the standard for excellence."
The club also highlighted the timing of the move within Kerolin's career trajectory, adding: "The Brazilian international arrives at one of the best moments of her career to strengthen a squad built to compete for every trophy. With her talent, creativity and ability to decide matches, 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."
Kerolin's switch underlines the growing financial scale of the women's transfer market, with fees climbing steadily as clubs across Europe compete for top talent. Her move from Manchester City to Barcelona not only strengthens the Catalan side's attacking options but also marks another milestone in what has become an increasingly competitive and lucrative window for women's football transfers.
As Barcelona look to defend their European crown and continue their dominance domestically, the addition of a player with Kerolin's proven pedigree and continental experience is seen as a calculated step toward sustaining their position at the summit of the women's game, even as they navigate the loss of several long-serving stars this offseason.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.