Chelsea has officially signed forward Melvine Malard from Manchester United in a deal worth £750,000. The French international has agreed to a four-year contract with the Blues, reuniting her with Sonia Bompastor, with whom she previously worked at OL Lyonnes and won the Champions League in 2022.
Malard had a successful season, scoring six goals in the WSL and four in the Champions League, and had one year remaining on her contract at United. She was also pursued by two clubs in the US and Europe, with two NWSL clubs making offers for her. 'I'm thrilled because Chelsea aligns with my life and career plans,' Malard stated on Chelsea's official website.
'It's a great club with big ambitions, and I'm excited to get started. Having played against Chelsea several times, I know they have talented players. I've known Sonia since I was 14, so it's wonderful to work with her again.
My goal is to improve daily and win trophies, which I know is also Chelsea's objective. I'm looking forward to playing at Stamford Bridge regularly; the atmosphere is incredible, and the energy from the fans is palpable.'