Lia Walti Explains Brighton Move After One Season at Juventus

Lia Walti has explained that differences in professional standards helped drive her return to the Women's Super League, with the Switzerland captain joining Brighton after one season at Juventus. BBC Sport reported that the 33-year-old midfielder completed the move last month for an undisclosed fee while she still had a year remaining on her Juventus contract.

Walti moved to Italy last summer after seven years with Arsenal, where she made 183 appearances and won four major trophies, including the Champions League and WSL titles. She told BBC Sport that her season in Italy revealed a sharp contrast with the environment she had experienced in England, particularly around facilities, support and the culture surrounding matches.

The midfielder said the standards established in the WSL were not typical elsewhere and described missing the sense that players were fully supported. She also highlighted the limited crowds she experienced in Italy, contrasting them with the atmosphere created by supporters in England even at smaller grounds. Her comments addressed the Italian women's game generally rather than only Juventus.

Walti also identified broadcast quality and playing surfaces as obstacles to the development of women's football in several countries. She argued that poor camera positions can make games less appealing to viewers by obscuring their speed and tactical detail. In her assessment, substandard artificial and natural pitches can also restrict the quality players are able to produce.

The Switzerland international, who has made more than 100 appearances for her country and captained the team at Euro 2025 on home soil, said investment must come before leagues can expect returns. She also expressed concern that talented players can be lost when inadequate environments prevent them from developing or attracting attention. Walti said attempts to raise concerns in Italy had left her frustrated when she felt they brought little response.

Brighton's investment helped convince Walti that the club could provide the environment she wanted. The club announced plans in April for a purpose-built women's stadium estimated to cost between £75 million and £80 million, having previously invested £8.5 million in training facilities used by the women's team. Brighton also reached their first Women's FA Cup final in May and have strengthened their squad as they pursue an ambition to break into the WSL's top three. Walti said conversations with the club and positive feedback from other players confirmed her decision to join.