Official: Chelsea Announce Departure Of Longest-Serving Player

Through a statement on their official webpage, Chelsea have announced the departure of England women's national team star Claire Rafferty, the longest-serving Ladies player.

Sunday's  Women’s Super League match at Liverpool will be the left-back's last game for the club she joined in 2007 from Millwall Lionesses.

Speaking on her departure, Rafferty said : ''It has been a tough decision to leave but I feel the time is right. I am so proud of my time with Chelsea and can’t thank the players and staff enough for everything they have done for me.

''To go out on such a high is the perfect way to finish and now the aim is to end the season unbeaten when we play Liverpool this weekend.

''Chelsea will always be in my heart and I hope to be back here in the future in some capacity.''

Claire Rafferty was part of the Chelsea Ladies squad that won the double in 2015 and 2018, and the Spring Series win in 2017.

The Blues have also confirmed that Nigerian-born striker Eniola Aluko will move on to pastures new following the completion of the season this weekend.

Igho Kingsley