Maren Mjelde to leave Chelsea at end of the season

Mjelde joined the Blues ahead of the Spring Series in 2017 and established herself as a key member of the squad. The Norwegian international has won five Women’s Super League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Spring Series, and a Community Shield.

The 34-year-old has made 140 appearances in blue, scoring 23 goals and regularly showing prowess from the penalty spot. Mjelde’s versatility has seen her named in the PFA Team of the Year as a defender and midfielder during her time with the club.

A taste for important goals on the European stage is something Mjelde has relished, one of her highlights in a Chelsea shirt was scoring a stoppage-time winner against Paris Saint-Germain which sent us to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals during the 2018/19 season.

Mjelde has also received deserved recognition on the domestic front. She was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the second time at the end of the 2019/20 season and again after the 2020/21 campaign, despite this being cut short by a serious knee injury.

Having made an emotional return from that injury during the 2021/22 campaign, Mjelde settled back into the fold throughout the 2022/23 season where she helped us towards a fourth consecutive WSL title and third successive FA Cup triumph.

She contributed to one of our most memorable moments of that campaign against Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge, scoring a penalty with the last kick of extra-time to force a shootout where she scored again to help us into the semi-finals.

This season, she continued her affinity with European competition. Her only goal thus far came in a 4-0 victory away to Paris FC on matchday six of the UEFA Women’s Champions League as we progressed to the knockout phase as group winners.

On Mjelde’s departure, general manager Paul Green commented: ‘Maren has been one of our leaders both on and off the pitch. Her experience and quality within the group have been really important.

‘She has played a big part in our success, winning 13 trophies in seven years and has contributed some memorable moments, including important goals in European competition.

’She will always be held in the highest regard at Chelsea, and we wish her the best for the future.’

Everyone at Chelsea wishes to sincerely thank Maren for her outstanding contributions to the club, and wish her every success in the future. We look forward to acknowledging Maren’s many achievements at our final home league match of the season against Bristol City.