Chelsea have completed the deadline day signing of 20-year-old goalkeeper Femke Liefting from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
The 20-year-old has penned a three-and-a-half year deal in Cobham, keeping her in the Women’s Super League (WSL) through to the end of the 2028/29 season.
Chelsea’s arrival has impressed on the international stage at a youth level for Netherlands, representing the nation at the under-17s, under-19s and under-20s.
Liefting was a part of the Dutch side to feature at the 2024 Uunder-20s Women’s World Cup, starring in between the posts. She made a mark on the tournament, saving two penalties in the nation’s quarter-final victory over tournament hosts Colombia.
Recent form on a junior level has earned her a spot in the senior Netherlands side, having received call-ups to the last two Dutch squads.
Femke finalised. ✍️
Welcome to Chelsea, Femke Liefting. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/eUkSuiWMVF
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 31, 2025
“It is really amazing. I am so proud. It is just such a big club. I’m really honoured to be here,” Liefting told Chelsea upon her arrival.
Chelsea’s head of women’s football, Paul Green added: “Femke is an exciting goalkeeper whom we have been tracking over the last few years.”
“She has vast experience for a player of her age, with over 50 senior appearances in the Dutch league already, to go alongside an illustrious career so far with the Dutch youth national teams. We look forward to seeing her development continue in the upcoming years.”
Liefting’s arrival marks Chelsea’s second acquisition of the January window, following the world-record signing of American defender Naomi Girma. The Blues also said to be in advanced conversations with Barcelona over the signing of England midfielder Keira Walsh, but that still remains unconfirmed.
90min understands that as long as a club had filed the deal sheet in time for the end of the transfer window, they are able announce the signing at whatever stage they choose.
