Toni Duggan arrives at the airport all smiles ahead of huge Barcelona move from Manchester City: 'It's finally time for my new challenge to begin'

  • Toni Duggan is about to seal her move from Manchester City to Barcelona 
  • The striker has arrived at the airport all smiles ahead of the flight to Catalonia 
  • Duggan will be the first English footballer to play for Barca since Gary Lineker 

England international Toni Duggan was all smiles as she arrived at the airport ahead of her transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona.

The highly rated women's striker is set to become the first footballer to play for the Spanish giants since Gary Lineker's move to the Nou Camp in 1986.

Taking to Instagram the 25-year-old former Everton ace uploaded a snap of her with the broadest of smiles, brandishing a Barcelona flag and already sporting the shirt of her new employers. 

England striker Toni Duggan arrived at the airport all smiles ahead of her transfer to Barcelona

England striker Toni Duggan arrived at the airport all smiles ahead of her transfer to Barcelona

Captioning the shot, Duggan wrote: 'It's finally time for my new challenge to begin... see you soon Barcelona! So excited.'


Duggan has agreed a two-year deal with the La Liga giants, with no transfer fee exchanging hands between Barca and City due to the player's contract coming up to its expiration in November.

After arriving from Everton in November 2013, Duggan helped City win the Women's Super League One title for the first time in 2016 and was part of the squad that won this year's Women's FA Cup.

She was also part of the England side that finished third in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.

Duggan, formerly of Man City, was part of the England side who finished third at the World Cup

Duggan, formerly of Man City, was part of the England side who finished third at the World Cup

She is set to become the first English footballer to play for Barca since Gary Linker in 1986

She is set to become the first English footballer to play for Barca since Gary Linker in 1986

'Barcelona are known all over the world for playing attractive football and I naturally wanted to be part of that,' Duggan told the BBC. 'I think my style of play will suit the team and I'm honoured to be part of the club.

'My new coach Fran Sanchez has told me that their ambition is to win the Women's Champions League and the club have made that very clear with their signings over the years.

'I've had a lot of success in England and I've really enjoyed my time with Manchester City but I wanted to challenge myself even further by playing abroad. I'm also looking forward to learning Spanish and living in the city,' Duggan added.