Lia Walti says Brighton move restored support she missed in Italy

Lia Walti said a desire to return to a more established professional environment drove her move from Juventus to Brighton after one season in Italy. The Switzerland captain joined the Women's Super League club last month for an undisclosed fee, bringing her back to England a year after she ended a seven-season spell with Arsenal.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Walti described the difference between the WSL and the Italian women's game as extreme. She said she missed feeling fully supported and valued as a footballer, while stressing that her comments were not intended as a broad attack on the Italian league.

Walti pointed to playing surfaces, matchday atmosphere and television coverage as areas where she felt England offered a stronger platform. She said matches in Italy often lacked an established fan culture and argued that poor camera positions can prevent viewers from appreciating the speed and tactics of women's football. Her comments reflected her own experience during a single season with Juventus.

The 33-year-old made 183 appearances for Arsenal and helped the club win four major trophies, including the Women's Champions League and Women's Super League. She also captained Switzerland at Euro 2025 on home soil and has made more than 100 international appearances. Walti told the BBC that her years in England had made her realise the WSL's standards were not typical across the sport.

Brighton's investment was central to her decision to join the club. The team moved into facilities at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in 2021 following an £8.5 million investment. In April, Brighton announced plans for what the club described as Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium, with an estimated cost of £75 million to £80 million.

On the field, Brighton reached the Women's FA Cup final for the first time in May and have stated ambitions of challenging the WSL's top three. Walti said feedback from other players and her early conversations with the club convinced her that Brighton cared about and was investing in its women's team. The midfielder's move adds extensive domestic, European and international experience to Dario Vidosic's squad.