Chelsea have announced the signing of French international Melvine Malard from fellow Women’s Super League side Manchester United.

The 26-year-old forward joined Man United on an initial loan deal ahead of the 2023/24 WSL season. After an impressive first season for the Red Devils which saw her score five goals and help the team win the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, the board were eager to make the move permanent.

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In July 2024, the board did just that. The forward put pen to paper on a deal until 2027. Following her permanent move, Malard has 16 goals to her name in the red of United. Last season was the forward’s most prolific season since joining the WSL.

She bagged ten goals across all competitions and proved vital in United’s maiden European campaign. The forward was a four-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner in her time with OL Lyonnes. This experience in the competition was crucial in helping Manchester United reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

A standout performance on the European stage came in the first-leg against Atletico Madrid in the round of 16. Malard provided a goal and two assists as United stunned the hosts and all but confirmed their place in the quarter-finals. A major feat in their maiden campaign.

How much did Chelsea pay for Melvine Malard?

Malard is now Manchester United’s most expensive sale in their history. The reported figure for the move is around the £850,000 mark.

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The 26-year-old had one year remaining on her United contract and reportedly preferred to pursue a new challenge away from Manchester. United offered the forward a contract extension, but the club agreed to sell her to recoup a transfer fee. And with a Women’s World Cup on the horizon and the retirement of Eugenie Le Sommer, Malard surely has one eye on next summer.

With the departure of Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten, attacking reinforcements were required for the Blues. The signing of Malard highlights Chelsea’s ambition to get their hands back on the league title after Manchester City reigned superior last season. For the west London outfit, the signing of Malard will also strengthen their attacking options after securing Aggie Beever-Jones’ future.

Melvine Malard to reunite with Sonia Bompastor

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For Malard, Chelsea isn’t just a new chapter, it’s a reunion with a coach who helped shape some of the biggest moments of her career.

Following her move to the Blues, Malard is once again working under Sonia Bompastor, a familiar face from their successful time together at OL Lyonnes. Bompastor coached Malard during one of Lyon’s most dominant periods, trusting her as part of a squad that continued the club’s tradition of winning.

Together they celebrated multiple Division 1 Féminine titles. They lifted the 2021/22 UWCL together when they defeated Barcelona in the final. Bompastor’s belief in Malard’s talent from a young age played an important role in her development. Their reunion in the Capital will bring that winning partnership back together.

As they begin a new partnership together in west London, Chelsea fans will hope the partnership will replicate their winning pedigree and get their hands once again on the league title, as well as a European title which remains out of their grasp.

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