Chelsea complete signing of Everton defender in 'dream' transfer

Chelsea have completed the signing of Swedish defender Nathalie Bjorn from fellow Women’s Super League (WSL) side Everton.

The 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal that will keep her at Kingsmeadow until the summer of 2027. She has been capped 61 times for Sweden and helped her country to a third-place finish at last summer's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Bjorn, who joined Everton from FC Rosengard in July 2021, has already made more than 300 senior appearances and will hope to help Chelsea clinch their fifth successive WSL title this term. Speaking to club media about her switch to West London, Bjorn said: «It feels amazing! To sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe feels like part of a dream that you have when you are young. I’m very excited to get this journey started.»

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General manager Paul Green said: «Nathalie is a very experienced, versatile player that we have been tracking for a long time. She is a leader, has good pace, is good on the ball, and knows our league very well.

»We are really pleased to get the deal over the line and look forward to seeing her make a good impact in the squad now and over the upcoming years."

Bjorn, who is adept at operating in an array of defensive positions, is Chelsea's first signing of the January window. The Blues will return to competitive action following the WSL winter break with an FA Cup fourth round tie with West Ham United this weekend.

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