England defender Lucy Bronze has joined Girls’s Tremendous League champions Chelsea on a free switch.
The 32-year-old, who has signed a two-year contract, left Barcelona after her contact expired final month.
“To know I’m a Chelsea participant nonetheless feels a little bit bit surreal,” mentioned Bronze.
“I’m actually excited to be again in England. My household are so excited as nicely to get to extra of my video games.
“I’m excited to be in London, to see what the capital holds and to be at a membership that’s famend for profitable so many trophies.”
Bronze has received 23 membership trophies, together with 5 Champions League titles and eight home league titles, and was a part of the England workforce that received Euro 2022.
She is Chelsea’s fourth signing of the summer season after the arrivals of Julia Bartel, Sandy Baltimore and Oriane Jean-Francois, and essentially the most high-profile participant to hitch since Sonia Bompastor succeeded Emma Hayes as supervisor.
“Lucy will carry management to the group. She is a serial winner and a flexible defender,” mentioned Chelsea normal supervisor Paul Inexperienced.
“She has a number of expertise and a profitable mentality which we really feel will match nicely into the squad.”
Bronze received three successive Champions League titles with Lyon and two with Barcelona, the latest as a part of the home treble final season.
Chelsea assistant supervisor Camille Abily was a part of the teaching employees when Bronze performed at Lyon.
She was supplied a contract extension at Barcelona however was not assured a beginning function amid competitors from Spain defender Ona Batlle.
Bronze, who has performed for Sunderland, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester Metropolis, was named Fifa Greatest Girls’s Participant of the Yr in 2020.
She was a key participant within the Euro 2022 triumph and helped England attain the World Cup closing final yr.