Niamh Charles departs Chelsea

Charles leaves the Blues having won five WSL titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups. She played 178 games for us and scored 13 goals, with her consistent, high-quality performances for Chelsea ensuring she has become a regular member of the England squad.

Charles was 21 years old when she arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2020, joining from Liverpool for whom she had impressed against us on several occasions.

Initially used in an attacking role, Charles soon found a home at full-back, with her versatility and two-footedness ensuring she could play on either side. Her maiden campaign at Chelsea concluded with her in the starting XI in the Champions League final.

Charles quickly established herself as an invaluable member of Emma Hayes’s all-conquering side, and she marked her 100th Chelsea appearance by scoring in a 4-0 win at West Ham in May 2023 as we closed in on yet another WSL title.

The following campaign, 2023/24, was arguably Charles’ best in blue. She started each of our 22 WSL games as we won the league in style, thrashing Manchester United 6-0 on the final day. With Millie Bright out injured for much of the season, Charles wore the armband on several occasions, and it was no surprise when our No.21 was named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year.

Though Charles was affected by injury in each of the past two campaigns, she still brought up the milestone of 150 Chelsea appearances and more than played her part in further domestic success.

Last summer she featured in five of England’s games at Euro 2025, coming off the bench in the final to net a nerveless penalty in the shootout triumph against Spain as the Lionesses retained their crown. She has accrued 34 international caps, all won during her time with Chelsea.

We would like to thank Niamh for her efforts in blue and wish her every success for the rest of her career.