England defender Jess Carter has left Chelsea to join National Women’s Super League (NWSL) side NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Carter arrived at Chelsea from Birmingham City in 2018 and helped the Blues win five consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) titles under Emma Hayes.
Hayes left the club to take over as head coach of the US Women’s national team (USWNT) at the end of last season and Carter is now also set to move Stateside to join Gotham for an undisclosed fee.
Jess Carter of Chelsea celebrates with the Barclays Women’s Super League trophy (Photo by Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The defender’s partner, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, left the Blues to join the NWSL side earlier this year. Carter’s exit is a blow for Chelsea, with the 26-year-old one of their standout performers last term and adept at playing in a variety of positions across the backline.
However, new head coach Sonia Bompastor has already bolstered her defensive options this summer with the signing of England right-back Lucy Bronze from Barcelona.
Carter made more than 150 appearances for Chelsea and has also enjoyed success on the international stage, starring in England’s triumphant European Championship squad in 2022 and helping the Lionesses reach last summer’s World Cup final.
She was named Chelsea’s Player’s Player of the Season for 2023/24 and was included in the Champions League Team of the Season after the Blues reached the semi-finals.
