Chelsea have signed Lionesses star Lucy Bronze on a two-year deal.

The 32-year-old joins the Blues after the expiry of her contract at Barcelona.

She becomes the first major signing of the post-Emma Hayes era at Chelsea, now managed by ex-Lyon head coach Sonia Bompastor.

Bronze has enjoyed a highly decorated career, winning Euro 2022 with England as well as league titles at Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon and Barca.

The right-back won the Champions League in both of her two seasons in Spain, arriving in 2022 from City. Between 2017 and 2020, she spent three campaigns at Lyon, winning the Champions League in each one. The 2019 Ballon d’Or runner-up, she won the 2020 FIFA Best Women’s Player of the Year award.

Bronze made her England debut in 2013 and has since gone on to win 125 caps, scoring 15 goals and reaching the final of last summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“To know I’m a Chelsea player still feels a little bit surreal,” Bronze said. “It’s obviously a club I know so much about and have done for such a long time. I’m really excited to be back in England.

“My family are so excited as well to get to more of my games. I’m excited to be in London, to see what the capital holds and to be at a club that is renowned for winning so many trophies.”

Chelsea’s general manager, Paul Green, added: “Lucy will bring leadership to the group. She is a serial winner and a versatile defender. She has lots of experience and a winning mentality which we feel will fit well into the squad.”