Chelsea women’s team made their first signing in Todd Boehly’s era after Roman Abramovich’s successful era at the West London club finally ended on May 31.
France defender Eve Perisset, who put pen to paper to sign a three-year deal, joined from French topflight women’s league club, Bordeaux.
This signing becomes the first ever since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over the ownership of the club from embattled billionaire oligarch following the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Chelsea since March had been unable to sign new players or renew the contracts of current ones following the sanctions by UK Government meted on Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich.
According to the Blues, Perisset, who will wear the No 15 shirt at Kingsmeadow, will officially become a Chelsea player on July 1.
“It’s a fantastic honour to join Chelsea and to be the first French female player to become a blue! I am very thankful for the opportunity that has been given to me,” Perisset said on Chelsea’s website.
“The time was right for me to make this big move to London and join the English Super League and I cannot wait to meet the team and the fans later this summer at Kingsmeadow and at the famous Stamford Bridge,” she added.
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Emma Hayes applauded the move by the French international to the club stressing that she will add a wealth of experience to the team.
“Eve brings a wealth of experience and is a versatile player who is able to play in both full-back positions and midfield,” said Hayes.
“A tenacious defender, with her mentality and professionalism we have no doubt she will complement the group well.
“We really look forward to welcoming Eve to the team later this summer as we head into the new season,” she added.
The 27-year-old defender started her career at Lyon, and won the French league and cup double four times, including the 2016 UEFA Champions League.
Perisset moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 where she won another French cup before joining Bordeaux in 2020.
She has won 34 caps for France since making her debut in 2016 and is in her country’s squad for this summer’s Euros in England.