Chelsea have completed the signing of versatile forward Sandy Baltimore from Paris Saint-Germain on a four-year contract.
Baltimore departs PSG after making nearly 200 appearances for the club, while she has also been capped 28 times by the French national team to this point.
The 24-year-old becomes Chelsea’s second signing in the post-Emma Hayes era, with Sonia Bampastor now at the helm.
Speaking to Chelsea’s club channels, Baltimore said: “I’m very happy to join Chelsea. It feels incredible. I have always wanted to play for Chelsea and now look, it has happened!
“I’ve played against Sonia in France. It is true she’s a very strong manager with a very good record. She is a good coach and has won a lot.
“When I was at PSG, the games against Lyon were always difficult. They were always very good battles. I am excited to work together with Sonia at Chelsea.”
Baltimore is not the only France international on Chelsea’s books, with Eve Perisset a core part of the Blues’ first team, while she also played alongside Ashley Lawrence at PSG.
“I have known Eve for a very long time,” Baltimore added. “We played together at PSG and we see each other a lot with the national team, and now we’re both here playing for Chelsea. We spoke before I signed for the club and she gave me a lot of good advice. She told me that if I come to Chelsea then I am definitely going to love it.
“It is important for me to have those relationships when coming to a new club. They can help me adapt with things like the language and living in a new city and with things on the pitch.
“Knowing them gives me more confidence for when I am playing. It will help me feel a bit freer to focus on the football.”
