Lucy Bronze: Chelsea set to sign defender on free transfer – BBC Sport

Chelsea are set to sign England international Lucy Bronze on a free transfer when her Barcelona contract ends.

The defending Women’s Super League champions are closing in on an agreement for a two-year deal, with an option to extend for a further year.

Bronze, 32, leaves Barcelona upon the expiry of her contract this month.

The former Manchester City defender will link up with Chelsea assistant manager Camille Abily, who was part of the coaching staff when Bronze played at Lyon and won three successive Women’s Champions League titles from 2018 to 2020.

At Barcelona, Bronze won back-to-back European crowns, also as part of a treble of silverware in the 2023-24 season.

Chelsea felt they could not miss out on the chance to sign a player of Bronze’s quality when she was available for free in the market.

She was a player that attracted new Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, and marks the first high-profile signing of her reign, having succeeded Emma Hayes this summer.

Bronze is a serial winner, celebrating league titles at Liverpool, City, Lyon and Barcelona, as well as playing a key role in England’s victory at Euro 2022 and their route to the 2023 World Cup final.

She was offered a contract extension at Barcelona but was not guaranteed a starring role with competition from Spain full-back Ona Batlle.

Chelsea believe the move will strengthen a squad already packed with talent and winners, while Bronze will welcome a return to the WSL.

On Wednesday Chelsea signed Barcelona’s 20-year-old Spanish midfielder Julia Bartel on a three-year deal, plus a one-year option.