Karen Carney has joined Chelsea Ladies, the club have confirmed.

Carney has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the FA WSL 1 champions, who lifted the trophy back in October.

The England international was part of the Birmingham City side that struggled in 2015, finishing third-from-bottom in the standings, just five points above the drop zone.

Therefore, it perhaps comes as little surprise that a move has materialised for her in the off-season as she joins a team that will not only benefit from her quality, but will help her get back to her best too.

Carney delighted with move

Speaking to the club's official website, Carney said that she is "thrilled" to have completed the move to London and to a successful team who "establish[ed] themselves as the top club in the country" in 2015 by doing the double - lifting both the WSL 1 title and the FA Women's Cup.

These were the first two pieces of silverware for Chelsea Ladies and the signing of Carney certainly shows that they are looking to push on for more trophies.

This was one of the factors in her move too, the 28-year-old saying that she is "excited" about "helping" the club to "build on" their incredible year.

Karen Carney will join a number of her England teammates at Chelsea. (Photo: FA)

Karen Carney will join a number of her England teammates at Chelsea. (Photo: FA)

"It is the right point in my career to begin a new challenge," Carney continued, adding that, after discussions with manager Emma Hayes, she realises that they "share the same ambitions" which makes her "believe" that Chelsea is a club that can help her "achieve those goals."

Hayes happy about reunion

It's not the first time that Hayes and Carney will be working together, having done so before in the States with the Chicago Red Stars and also at Arsenal

The manager is more than pleased for them to reunite once more too, saying she is "absolutely delighted" about the signing, saying Carney was "a major target" in the transfer window and calling her "a genuine world-class addition to the squad."

The fact that she "know[s] her well" is another reason why Hayes was so keen to recruit the England international, as well as because of her "fantastic character both on and off the pitch" and the "additional leadership" she will bring.

Carney will join an attacking force consisting of the likes of Gemma Davison, Fran Kirby and Eniola Aluko, and the manager can already see her "complimenting" these players as well as "benefit[ing]" them by providing "her vision and passing."

Chelsea will begin their title defence in March when the FA WSL season gets back underway, the same month in which they will begin their FA Women's Cup campaign too.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]