Chelsea have made a significant move in the transfer market by securing England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona, with the 27-year-old signing a four-and-a-half-year contract at the London club. The transfer was finalized just before the Women's Super League deadline on Thursday, though the announcement came on Friday.
"It's unbelievable. I'm very happy to be here and very excited to get started," Walsh expressed following her move. "You look at the history of the trophies Chelsea have won and I'm an ambitious player and person, so for me, it is a good fit."
While Chelsea did not disclose the transfer fee, sources indicate it falls short of the approximately £900,000 they recently paid for USA defender Naomi Girma. The deal materialized after Barcelona, initially reluctant to sell, accepted Chelsea's bid late Wednesday, followed by Walsh's medical examination on Thursday.
Walsh, who previously commanded a world-record fee of £400,000 when moving from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022, was motivated to return to England to be closer to her family. Her arrival at Chelsea comes at a crucial time as the club sits atop the Women's Super League, maintaining an unbeaten record through 12 games.
Under manager Sonia Bompastor's leadership, Chelsea has demonstrated serious ambition in strengthening their squad. Walsh brings valuable experience, having won the Champions League twice with Barcelona. Despite participating in the competition's group stages with Barcelona this season, she remains eligible to represent Chelsea from the quarter-finals onward.
This transfer marks another milestone in what has been an extraordinary month for Chelsea, following their acquisition of Girma, widely considered the world's premier center-back. The club's pursuit of Walsh also provides essential cover for injured midfielder Sophie Ingle, who has been sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Chelsea's aggressive transfer strategy aligns with their clear objective of securing the Women's Champions League title. Currently, they maintain a commanding seven-point lead in the WSL and remain active in both the Women's FA Cup and Women's League Cup, pursuing an ambitious quadruple. Walsh's decision to return home also positions her favorably for Euro 2025 preparations, marking a new chapter in her illustrious career.
