Matildas Ellie Carpenter Joins Chelsea, Faces Wife Van de Donk in WSL

Matildas star Ellie Carpenter has signed a four-year deal with Chelsea, joining her teammate Sam Kerr and reuniting with former Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor. Carpenter, who spent five years at Lyon and won two Champions League titles, will now face off against her new wife, Daniëlle van de Donk, who recently joined London City Lionesses, newly promoted to the Women's Super League. The couple met at Lyon in 2021, announced their engagement in early 2024, and married in a lavish ceremony in France in June 2025. Chelsea's head of women's football, Paul Green, expressed excitement about Carpenter's experience and athleticism, highlighting her potential impact on the team. Carpenter expressed enthusiasm about the new challenge and pride in joining one of the biggest clubs in women's football. The upcoming season will see the unique dynamic of the couple competing as rivals in the English league after years as teammates at Lyon.