Chelsea have announced the signing of Australian defender Ellie Carpenter on a four-year deal.
Carpenter joins the Women’s Super League champions from French outfit OL Lyonnes, where she had a successful spell. The 25-year old will be hoping to add to her tally in England and achieve more domestic and international glory.
Despite being just 25, Carpenter brings with her a wealth of experience. This includes two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles and five domestic league championships earned during her time in Australia and France.
Carpenter’s football journey began in senior competition at 15 years old. In Australia’s A-League Women, she was named Young Footballer of the Year for three consecutive years between 2018 and 2020 and helped guide Melbourne City to an undefeated championship-winning season.
At 18, she moved to the United States and joined Portland Thorns. She became both the youngest player and youngest goalscorer in the league’s history. Her debut goal came just ten days after her first appearance and secured a win over Washington Spirit.
In 2020, Carpenter transferred to Lyon, where she became the first Australian to win the Champions League during her debut season. Over five seasons with the French club, she won four league titles and a second UWCL crown. The latter she achieved under now Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor’s leadership in 2022.
Speaking on her move, Carpenter said: “I’m really excited about this new challenge; it’s a new adventure. It feels like the right move for me, and I can’t wait to get started and give my all for this club.
“I’m very proud to join such a big club, one of the biggest in women’s football. Chelsea have enjoyed so much success in England, and I’m delighted to now be a part of it.”
Paul Green, head of women’s football at Chelsea, added: “Ellie is a player who we have tracked for many years. She has a lot of experience for someone of her age and has won numerous titles in her career, including the Champions League.
“She is an athletic full-back who loves to get forward. We are excited to see how she continues to develop and what she will add to an already talented squad of players.”
