Spanish defender Jana Fernández has officially signed with London City Lionesses, ending her long journey with FC Barcelona to embrace a fresh challenge in the Barclays Women’s Super League. At 23, this is more than just a transfer — it is a career reset. After years of limited playing time in one of the most competitive squads in the world, Fernández now joins a team where she is expected to play a central role. For the Lionesses, newly promoted to the WSL, the signing signals ambition and intent; for Fernández, it is the opportunity to develop, regain rhythm, and thrive under a coach ready to trust her ability.
Why This Move Makes Sense
The move is significant both for player and club. At Barcelona, Fernández grew up as part of La Masia’s golden generation, but she struggled to consistently break into a starting XI packed with world-class defenders. Despite earning over 50 appearances and collecting Champions League and Liga F titles, her role remained more rotational than central. London City Lionesses offer a completely different dynamic: a club on the rise, freshly promoted to the WSL and eager to establish themselves among England’s elite. By signing a player with European pedigree, they not only add immediate quality but also demonstrate their determination to compete at the highest level.
Credit photo: London City Lionesses website
For Fernández, the most important factor is game time. Regular minutes are crucial at this stage of her career, especially after injuries interrupted her progress in Barcelona. At the Lionesses, she is expected to feature heavily, whether as a centre-back or at right-back, two positions where her pace, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence make her a valuable asset. The project in South London promises trust and responsibility — two things she desperately needs to unlock the next level of her potential.
Development Under Supportive Management
London City Lionesses are building their WSL project with careful ambition. Under new leadership, with a coaching staff that emphasizes development as much as results, the club is crafting an environment where players are empowered to grow. Fernández fits that vision perfectly. A defender who thrives on reading the game, intercepting play, and building from the back, she is also fast and technically polished — qualities that suit the quick transitions and physical duels of English football.
Unlike at Barcelona, where competition for minutes left her often waiting, here she arrives with the expectation of becoming a pillar of the squad. The Lionesses’ faith in her abilities can provide the confidence she needs to take bold steps forward. For many young players, belief from the coach is transformative. Fernández now has the chance to prove that she belongs among the standout defenders in the WSL.
Profile: Jana Fernández
Jana Fernández Velasco was just 12 when she joined Barcelona’s academy, quickly marking herself out as one of Spain’s brightest defensive talents. At only 16, she made her senior debut for Barça, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to represent the club at that level. Her versatility — equally comfortable in central defence and at right-back — earned her call-ups to Spain’s youth teams, where she collected European titles and gained international experience that sharpened her competitive edge.
At senior level, Fernández’s rise was halted by a serious knee injury in 2022, a setback that kept her sidelined during one of Barcelona’s most successful periods. Though she returned to lift trophies, including the Champions League, her role was limited, and opportunities to play consistently never fully returned. Still, her technical ability, calmness under pressure, and intelligence on the ball made her a valued squad member. By leaving Barcelona for London, she takes control of her career path, seeking regular competition in one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world.
Our Take
At Women’s Eleven, we see this as a smart and brave decision. Moving from Barcelona to a newly promoted WSL club is not a step down — it is a strategic reset. Fernández is choosing playing time, responsibility, and growth over the comfort of being part of Europe’s strongest squad. For a young player with the ambition to be more than a squad option, this is the right call.
She has the tools to succeed: speed, technical refinement, and versatility. More importantly, she now has the confidence of a coach and a club that want her to be central to their project. In the physical and high-tempo WSL, her ability to combine composure with pace will be tested, but it is also the perfect stage for her to prove herself. If she adapts quickly to the league’s demands, there is little doubt that Fernández can become one of its standout defenders.
This transfer is not just about the present. It is about positioning herself for the future — for Spain, for her personal development, and for a career that still holds enormous promise. Jana Fernández has everything to succeed in the WSL. Now, she finally has the platform to show it.