Chelsea Sign Ellie Carpenter in Swap Deal

Australian defender Ellie Carpenter has signed a four-year contract with Chelsea, departing French club Lyon after five years in which she won two UEFA Women's Champions League titles and four league championships. The move reunites Carpenter with coach Sonia Bompastor, under whom she achieved Champions League success at Lyon, and she will join fellow Australian Sam Kerr at Chelsea. The transfer was part of a swap deal that saw Canadian international Ashley Lawrence move from Chelsea to Lyon. Carpenter debuted for the Matildas at 15 and became the youngest woman to play Olympic football at 16, and she has also played in the U.S. and Australia. Chelsea head of women's football, Paul Green, praised her experience and athleticism, welcoming her to the Women's Super League champions. Carpenter expressed pride in joining Chelsea and aims to contribute to the club's ongoing success in English and European football.