Alyssa Thompson: Chelsea agree club record deal for USA forward

Chelsea have agreed a club record deal worth just under £1m to sign Alyssa Thompson from Angel City.

The 20-year-old forward has completed a medical and is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Blues.

The United States international is one of the most exciting talents in the world and the deal will surpass Chelsea’s previous transfer record to sign USA defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January.

However, it won’t break the Women’s Super League (WSL) record which remains the £1m paid by Arsenal to sign Canada forward Olivia Smith from Liverpool in July.

Smith’s move was the world record for around a month, but was then broken by Mexico forward Lizbeth Ovalle’s £1.1m ($1.5m) move from Tigres to Orlando Pride.

Thompson arrives to strengthen a Chelsea attack which has lost striker Mayra Ramirez to a significant hamstring injury – ruling out the Colombia international until January – and England forward Lauren James, who misses the season opener against Manchester City.

Chelsea host City at Stamford Bridge on Friday night (19:30 BST) and this will be welcome news for home supporters.