Chelsea have confirmed the signing of U.S. forward Alyssa Thompson from Angel City in a deal worth around £1m. The 20-year-old has agreed a five-year contract and becomes one of the most expensive players in Women’s Super League history. With add-ons, the fee could even surpass the £1.43m world record that saw Grace Geyoro join London City Lionesses last week.
Thompson is the third player this summer to command a £1m fee, following Geyoro’s transfer and Olivia Smith’s move to Arsenal. She departs Angel City after 69 appearances and 15 goals, and is the third player from the LA club to head to England in recent months, after Alanna Kennedy and Katie Zelem signed for London City Lionesses.
Speaking about her move, Thompson said: “Chelsea is such an amazing club, one of the best in the world. To play alongside some of the best players at such a young age is an incredible opportunity. I want to learn, grow and develop, and Chelsea is the perfect environment to do that.”
The forward will link up with U.S. internationals Catarina Macario and Naomi Girma in Sonia Bompastor’s squad as Chelsea aim for a seventh straight WSL title. Girma joined in January from San Diego Wave for £890,000, a fee that briefly set a transfer record before being overtaken by Smith and Geyoro. Thompson, already capped 22 times by the U.S., adds pace and creativity to a squad built for both domestic dominance and a European push.
The transfer also highlights the growing connection between U.S. and English football, with Angel City’s owner Alexis Ohanian having purchased a minority stake in Chelsea earlier this year.
Chelsea begin their title defence on Friday night against Manchester City, live on Sky Sports, and Thompson could be set for an early introduction to English football’s biggest stage.
Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui believes the signing reflects a wider trend. “Chelsea spending £1m on Thompson mirrors Arsenal’s move for Olivia Smith. Big clubs are targeting young, internationally proven attackers who still have room to become world-class. Right now, £1m players might seem rare, but in a few years it could be the standard. If Thompson lives up to her potential, she could end up being a bargain.”
