Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Angel City forward Alyssa Thompson for a fee of around £1m, making her one of the most expensive transfers in women’s football history.
The 20-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract, becomes the third player this summer to move to the WSL for £1m or more.
Arsenal signed Canadian teenager Olivia Smith for the same figure last month, while London City Lionesses smashed the world record on Friday with a £1.43m deal for France international Grace Geyoro.
Thompson scored 15 goals in 69 appearances for Angel City and follows Alanna Kennedy and Katie Zelem in leaving the Los Angeles club for England this summer.
“Chelsea is such an amazing club, one of the best in the world,” Thompson said. “Being able to play with players that are the best in the world is an amazing opportunity at such a young age. I want to learn, grow and develop, and I feel Chelsea is the perfect environment to do that.”
The US international, capped 22 times, joins compatriots Catarina Macario and Naomi Girma in Sonia Bompastor’s squad as the Blues target a seventh successive WSL title. Girma herself moved for a then-record £890,000 fee in January.
The transfer also comes just months after Angel City co-owner Alexis Ohanian acquired a minority stake in Chelsea.
Thompson tipped to light up the WSL
Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui believes Thompson could be transformative for Chelsea:
“Chelsea spending £1m on Thompson, a young winger with international experience, mirrors Arsenal’s approach with Olivia Smith.
The big clubs are targeting electrifying, world-class potential. It strengthens them now, while also giving them appreciating assets in a growing transfer market.
£1m players may be rare in 2025, but could be the norm soon. If Thompson sets the WSL ablaze as expected, she may prove a bargain.”
Alyssa Thompson was presented tonight at the Stamford Bridge shortly before the kickoff of Chelsea’s WSL opener against Manchester City
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