Lucy Bronze is a Blue! Lionesses star joins Chelsea on free transfer following Barcelona exit

Bronze has returned to England after two seasons in Spain with Barcelona where she won seven trophies, including two Champions League crowns. The Lionesses defender has now signed a two-year deal with Chelsea after leaving Catalunya on a free transfer. Bronze has already won every major honour available in English football in previous stints with Manchester City, Sunderland, Liverpool and Everton but will hope to collect more trophies with her new club.

The new signing 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."

Bronze becomes Chelsea's newest signing in what is a summer of big change for the Blues. Sonia Bompastor has replaced Emma Hayes as manager and will be charged with defending the team's Women's Super League title. General manager Paul Green feels Bronze will be a key addition to the team: "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."

Chelsea have pre-season friendlies against Gotham FC and Arsenal lined up for August before the start of the new 2024-25 WSL campaign in September.