Chelsea complete signing of England Women star Lucy Bronze on a two-year deal after her Barcelona contract expired last month

Chelsea have announced the signing of England Women star Lucy Bronze on a two-year deal. 

Bronze has joined the west London club on a free transfer after her contract at Barcelona expired at the end of last month. 

On joining the Blues, she said: ‘To know I’m a Chelsea player still feels a little bit surreal. It’s obviously a club I know so much about and have done for such a long time. 

'I’m really excited to be back in England. My family are so excited as well to get to more of my games.

‘I’m excited to be in London, to see what the capital holds and to be at a club that is renowned for winning so many trophies.’

Chelsea Women's general manager Paul Green added: ‘Lucy will bring leadership to the group. She is a serial winner and a versatile defender. She has lots of experience and a winning mentality which we feel will fit well into the squad.’

Bronze, is arguably one of British football's best exports, having claimed five Champions League titles in her distinguished career and three Women's Super League titles.

While there has been much interest in the 32-year-old  from clubs around the world, Sonia Bompastor's side have landed the defender in what could be one of the biggest transfers this summer.

Bronze, who has 123 England caps, helped Barcelona Femeni clinch their second successive Women's Champions League title in May.

She has now made her return to England, having joined the Catalan outfit back in 2022, returning five goals in 70 appearances, while winning seven trophies.

It comes after her fellow England star, Mary Earps, yesterday unveiled that she had left Manchester United and signed a two-year contract with paris Saint-Germain.

Earps had notably turned down a new contract offer from the Red Devils, claiming that the club's ambitions did not align with hers.