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Chelsea have signed England midfielder Keira Walsh from Barcelona.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 27-year-old, who spent eight years at Manchester City before joining Barcelona, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea.<\/p>\n
The Women’s Super League transfer deadline was on Thursday but the deal was only announced on Friday.<\/p>\n
Chelsea did not confirm the fee but it does not challenge the world record of around \u00a3900,000 that they paid for USA defender Naomi Girma earlier this month.<\/p>\n
“It’s unbelievable. I’m very happy to be here and very excited to get started,” Walsh said.<\/p>\n
“You look at the history of the trophies Chelsea have won and I’m an ambitious player and person, so for me, it is a good fit.”<\/p>\n
Despite Barca initially being unwilling to sell, it is believed Chelsea’s bid was accepted late on Wednesday before Walsh had a medical on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old, who left Manchester City to join Barcelona for a then world record fee of \u00a3400,000 in 2022, was keen to return to England to be close to family.<\/p>\n
Chelsea, who are top of the Women’s Super League and the only unbeaten side after 12 games, have had a long-standing interest in Walsh and have been looking to bolster their midfield since the summer.<\/p>\n
Manager Sonia Bompastor has received significant backing as the club bid to win the Champions League. Walsh has won the competition twice with Barcelona.<\/p>\n
While she has played for Barcelona in the group stages of the competition this season, she is still eligible to play for Chelsea from the quarter-finals onwards. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n