Women’s Super League champions Chelsea have signed Australia defender Ellie Carpenter from Lyon on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Carpenter, 25, played for Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor at Lyon and leaves after five years with the club, having won the Champions League in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
“I’m very proud to join such a big club, one of the biggest in women’s football,” said Carpenter.
“Chelsea have enjoyed so much success in England and I’m delighted to now be a part of it.”
Chelsea, who also won the FA Cup and the League Cup in 2024-25, announced Carpenter’s signing the day after Canada’s Ashley Lawrence, 30, signed for Lyon from the Blues.
Carpenter, who has 87 international caps, is vastly experienced, having made her senior Australia debut at the age of just 15.
Aged 16, she became the youngest woman to ever play football at the Olympics at Rio 2016.
Her career also includes a spell in the United States for Portland Thorns.
As well as two Champions League successes, Carpenter won the league four times with Lyon.
