Chelsea Football Club has confirmed the acquisition of French forward Melvine Malard from Manchester United, securing her services on a four-year deal. Reports from The Guardian indicated last week that an agreement was imminent for the 26-year-old, who has departed United after a three-year tenure for a transfer fee of approximately £850,000.
Despite having a year remaining on her contract, Malard expressed a desire for a new opportunity, prompting United to opt for a sale rather than risk losing a valuable asset on a free transfer next summer.
It is anticipated that Manchester United will reinvest the proceeds from this record sale into strengthening their squad, with the transfer window remaining open until September 3.
To date, United has made one signing this summer, bringing in full-back Andrea Medina from Atlético Madrid. However, further additions are expected in light of several departures, including Leah Galton, Hannah Blundell, Sienna Wareing, Millie Turner, Lisa Naalsund, and now Malard.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Malard stated, “I’m thrilled because I have a plan for my life and career, and Chelsea fit into that plan. My goal is to improve every day and to compete for trophies. I know that Chelsea aims for the same.”
The French international previously played under Chelsea’s head coach Sonia Bompastor at Lyon, where she was introduced to the academy by Bompastor. “I have known Sonia since I was 14, so it’s wonderful to reunite with her,” Malard added.
It has been reported that Chelsea has been monitoring Malard’s progress for a considerable time. The club has seen several forwards depart recently, including record goalscorer Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten, both of whom have signed with Gotham FC, as well as Catarina Macario, who has joined San Diego Wave, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who moved to Lyon.
Malard is Chelsea’s third signing this summer following the acquisitions of former Arsenal full-back Katie McCabe and forward Manaka Matsukubo from North Carolina Courage.
During her seven seasons at Lyon, Malard achieved significant success, winning four Champions League titles, three league championships, and two Coupes de France. Her initial season at United was spent on loan.
Last season, she contributed four goals to United’s campaign, which saw them reach their first quarter-final in the Champions League and netted six goals in 18 Women’s Super League matches.
In other transfer news, Liverpool has signed Japanese midfielder Mao Itamura from Feyenoord. The 19-year-old was pivotal in her team’s success, winning the Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup in April and being named the Eredivisie player of the year last season in the Netherlands. She scored eight goals and provided six assists, helping Feyenoord secure a spot in European competition for the first time with their third-place finish, which qualified them for the Europa Cup.
Itamura marks Liverpool’s fifth signing of the summer, joining Vivien Endemann, Sara Agrez, Mari Ward, and Khiara Keating.
