The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Academy Stadium, joining us from Atletico Madrid.
Here are 10 things you may or may not know about our new Blue…
1. Passion play
Adressing the prospect of playing in the FA Women’s Super League, Laia said that she was eagerly looking forward to sampling the fervour for the game in this country.
“I think it’s the passion for football that they have here,” Aleixandri explained when asked about what had caught her attention ahead of moving to a new club, new league and new country.
“They have a culture that invites you to enjoy football and, above all, that competitiveness that exists in the league, which in the end is something that the player really likes.”
2. Technical talk
Asked to ascribe her technical ability and traits, Aleixandri revealed how she sought to initiate play from deep and was comfortable in possession. Qualities, of course, synonymous with City
“I am a tactically intelligent player, I think,” she said. “I really like to start our build-up with the ball from behind. I am technical and forceful.”
3. International right young thing
In January 2020, Laia was named by UEFA as one of the 10 most promising young players to look out for in Europe.
She was part of a prestigious group of exciting young players which also included her new City team-mate Lauren Hemp!
4. Return ticket
Aleixandri is no stranger to the Academy Stadium, having featured at the ground twice with Atletico Madrid against City in the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout games in both 2018 and 2019.
5. Barca learnings
Aleixandri spent five of her formative teenage years with Barcelona. Having joined the Catalan club in 2012 she subsequently spent three years within their academy system.
The defender later went on to graduate into Barcelona’s B Team squad, although she never made the step up to the first team. Aleixandri then swapped Barcelona for Atlético Madrid in 2017 as a 17-year-old.
6. International lift-off
Blessed with superb ability from an early, Laia was afforded her Spain Under-17 debut at the age of just 14!
She subsequently helped Spain’s Under-17s to win the Women’s Under-17 European Championship in 2015.
Then, in the summer of 2019, she was also named in the team of the tournament after the Women’s Under-19 European Championships.
7. Senior service
Laia subsequently made her senior international debut for Spain in a friendly against Cameroon at the age of 18 in May 2019. And she marked the auspicious occasion by scoring a goal!
8. Friends reunited
The move to City will see Laia reunited not just with Deyna Castellanos who has also made the move this summer from Atletico Madrid.
It will also see her link up again with her Spanish international colleague Vicky Losada whom she knows from her time coming through the ranks at Barcelona.
And she revealed Vicky had already helped give her a few pointers about what to expect from life at City.
“From the first moment I have had contact with her (with Vicky Losada). She has been telling me several little things to get me a little closer to City,” Laia explained.
“She has welcomed me great. I also know that I am going to enjoy a lot with her, sharing the same dressing room. It is a very positive point for me that she can be here.”
9. Numbers game
Aleixandri says that four has so far proved to be her lucky number during her career.
“At my clubs, I have always worn the same number: 4,” she revealed.
“It is my lucky number, the one I like the most. In the national team I have worn others, but I will be comfortable with whatever number it is.”
10. Euro vision
Aleixandri is set to get an early taste of experience playing in England at this summer’s UEFA Women’s European Championships which are being staged in this country.
She is expected to be part of a talented Spanish squad who have been drawn in a tough group alongside Finland, Germany and Demark.
“Since we found out that the European Championship was being played in England, we knew we were going to enjoy a different atmosphere,” Aleixandri asserted. “I really want to feel that warmth from the fans.
“The group is quite complicated. A European Championship is always complicated, regardless of who you face, but I think our group is going to be difficult.”
