Boston Legacy sign midfielder Alba Caño from FC Barcelona

The Boston Legacy Football Club announced on Thursday that midfielder Alba Cao has been signed, subject to her visa being approved, continuing the process of creating its first roster.

The 21-year-old Cao has committed to a deal that will last through the end of 2027, with a 2028 club option included. Cao will spend the remainder of the season on a temporary loan with Barcelona because the Legacy won’t play until their 2026 season debut.

The Spanish-born player progressed through the Barcelona system and made appearances for the Barcelona B and U-19 teams. In Liga F play last season, Cao scored a goal and provided an assist for Barcelona’s senior squad.

We will benefit from the technical, high-intensity performance of Cao in a variety of midfield roles. According to a club statement, Legacy general manager Dom Guasch remarked. Alba possesses excellent ball control, reads the game well, and prioritizes the team.

Despite her youth, she has elite-level experience because she played at Barcelona with some of the world’s top players, Guasch continued. Under the direction of [Legacy head coach Filipa Pat os], we have no doubt that she will keep developing.

It makes perfect sense for Guasch, who also moved from Barcelona to Boston, to recruit a midfield player from his old squad. After officially becoming a professional team in 2015, the Catalonian club has dominated women’s soccer ever since.

Barcelona has participated in and won three of the last seven UEFA Women’s Champions League finals. Together, two of its players, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, have taken home the previous four Ballon d Or F minin trophies, which are presented to the world player of the year.