Chelsea make first signing of the post-Emma Hayes era as Barcelona prospect Julia Bartel arrives on free transfer - with Lionesses star Lucy Bronze set to follow suit

Bartel has been one of the most exciting players in Barca's youth set-up for several years now, landing a spot on GOAL's 2023 NXGN list as a result. However, first team opportunities have not always been easy to come by in Catalunya given her competition for a place has been the likes of Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro. As such, the 20-year-old opted to leave the club this summer and has now signed for Chelsea until 2027, with there a one-year option in that contract.

Despite a change in managers after Emma Hayes took charge of the United States women's national team, it continues a recent theme for the English champions of signing young players and helping to further their development. The club have most notably done that with Japan starlet Maika Hamano, who played an important role in their most recent Women's Super League title triumph this year, and there are others hoping to follow in that path, such as senior Netherlands international Wieke Kaptein and England youth star Brooke Aspin. All three started their Chelsea journeys with loan spells away from the club though, whereas it feels like Bartel is likely to contribute more immediately.

Speaking for the first time as a Chelsea player, Bartel said: "I am very happy to be here at Chelsea. It’s one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I am very excited to be part of this club."

General manager Paul Green added: "Julia is a top young player, who is technically excellent and has good pedigree coming through at Barcelona and the Spanish international youth teams. She has good leadership skills for someone at a young age and we look forward to seeing her develop in the upcoming years."

During her three years in charge, new Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor was praised for her role in helping young players come through at Lyon, where she managed the academy for eight years before taking over the first team. The Blues will hope she can continue that in London given the talented prospects they have in the system.

Bartel is Chelsea's first signing of the summer window and she is set to be joined in the coming days by another player leaving Barcelona in the form of England star Lucy Bronze. The defender left Catalunya last week and is close to completing a deal that will see her return to the WSL.