Chelsea FC Women have officially announced the signing of England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona, marking her return to the Women’s Super League on transfer deadline day. The deal, reported to be worth around €550,000 ($572,000), brings the talented 27-year-old to London after two-and-a-half successful seasons abroad.
Walsh's illustrious career began at Blackburn Rovers, but it was during her time at Manchester City where she truly made her mark. Joining the Citizens as a teenager in 2014, she played a pivotal role as they captured various titles, including the Women's Super League (WSL) and FA Cups. After eight years of triumph, Walsh made the leap to Barcelona, where she added significantly to her silverware collection, winning two UEFA Champions League titles and six domestic trophies.
The Lionesses midfielder expressed her enthusiasm about joining Chelsea, stating, “It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy to be here and very excited to get started. 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.” Her excitement radiates, as she mentioned feeling positive discussions with club officials, adding, “I want to play for this club and fight for the badge.”
Paul Green, Chelsea's head of women's football, elaborated on Walch's capabilities, stating, “Keira is a player who will add huge value to an already talented squad. She has vast experience at the highest level, winning major honours at both domestic and international levels.” He elaborated on her exceptional technical attributes and football intelligence, emphasizing how her ability to dictate the tempo of the game will be invaluable to Chelsea’s game model moving forward.
Having enjoyed immense success at Barcelona, Walsh solidified her status as one of the top midfielders globally. During her time with the Catalan giants, she was instrumental, helping the team secure back-to-back Champions League titles, as well as multiple Liga F wins. Her international contributions have been noteworthy as well, including her stellar performances at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and her standout role during the Euro 2022 triumph, where she was named Player of the Match.
The move to Chelsea is not only seen as beneficial for Walsh but also as strategically significant for the club, which currently leads the WSL under manager Sonia Bompastor. Chelsea aims to bolster their squad as they maintain their title charge with strategic signings, including the addition of United States defender Naomi Girma just before Walsh’s arrival.
Following her transfer, Chelsea fans are optimistic about what Walsh will bring to the team. With her rich history of winning major silverware and contributing to her national team's success, the club looks forward to her influence on their title ambitions.
Walsh follows in the footsteps of former players who have made impactful returns to the WSL, each bringing unique experiences from abroad. The excitement is palpable within the Chelsea camp as they prepare to leverage Walsh's skills and experience to secure their position at the top of the league.
Now wearing the No. 30 jersey for Chelsea, Walsh's addition creates fierce competition within the midfield, alongside established talents such as Sjoeke Nusken and Erin Cuthbert. The squad is gearing up to face Aston Villa soon, providing the opportunity for Walsh to start making her mark again on English soil.
With hopes high for what the future holds, Keira Walsh is embracing this new chapter and the chance to fight for trophies with Chelsea. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing her contributions as she aims not just to return to winning ways, but also to replicate the immense success she achieved during her time abroad.