WSL fans will already be familiar with Switzerland captain Lia Walti, who joined Brighton from Juventus this summer.
Here’s what you need to know about their new midfielder, who’s returning to England after a short spell in Europe.
1) Walti Left Arsenal For a Fresh Challenge in Italy
Lia Walti left Arsenal for Juventus in 2025 after a seven-year spell in England, but her season in Italy exposed a stark gap in standards.
“It’s such a huge difference. It’s always hard to speak about it. I don’t want to speak too negatively about the Italian league, that is not my aim,” Walti told BBC Sport.
“It’s more than that; it’s just the reality that football in England, in the WSL, has a standard which is not comparable with any other league.”
2) She Won 3 Major Trophies With Arsenal
Over 177 appearances for Arsenal, Lia Walti won the WSL, the League Cup, and the Champions League, establishing herself as one of the club’s key players during her time there.
3) She Started Her Career in Europe
Before Arsenal, Lia Walti played for Koniz and Young Boys Frauen in her native Switzerland.
She then moved to the German side, Turbine Potsdam, before being snapped up by Arsenal in 2018.
4) She’s One of Switzerland’s Most-Capped Players
Lia Walti has 140 caps for the Swiss women’s team, making her the country’s fourth-most-capped female player of all time.
She captained her country at Euro 2025, helping Switzerland reach the quarter-finals on home soil.
5) She’s Been Compared to Fran Kirby
On announcing Lia Walti’s signing, Brighton’s Dario Vidosic said Lia Walti “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.”
Walti has settled in quickly with the squad, saying: “It’s been really good. I’m really happy to be here. The staff and players made me feel really welcome and made it easy for us new players to settle”
