Chelsea complete Alyssa Thompson deal: USWNT star joins WSL champions from Angel City star in club-record deal

The Women’s Super League champions had been working frantically to get the transfer wrapped up before Thursday's 11pm deadline and managed to do so, announcing the move as the window closed. Thompson, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NWSL draft and the first high school player to ever be selected at No.1, has bagged six goals in 16 league appearances this year.

Though initially reported by the Athletic as a transfer worth less than the £1 million mark, both the Telegraph and the Guardian have since suggested otherwise, understanding the deal to be a club-record for Chelsea. That was last set in January, when the Blues made Girma, Thompson's international team-mate, the first million dollar player in the women's game. Both outlets say the fee could rise to become a world-record, beyond the $1.5m (£1.1m) the Orlando Pride paid for Lizbeth Ovalle last month.

Thompson's arrival comes at a good time for Chelsea, as they have been dealt some big injury blows in the forward line recently. England star Lauren James is struggling with an issue that will rule her out for a few weeks, while Colombian striker Mayra Ramirez has undergone hamstring surgery and will be sidelined for the rest of 2025.

Chelsea begin their WSL title defence on Friday night with a blockbuster clash against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Thompson, though, is unlikely to have been registered in time to make her debut.