Bayern Munich has completed the signings of Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson from Chelsea with both signing three-year deals. Prior to the end of their contracts in May, the pair made the announcement that they would be departing the Women’s Super League winners. Eriksson, a defender and captain, moved to Kingsmeadow in 2017 after joining the Blues from her hometown club in Sweden, Linkoping. Since then, she has made 185 appearances, scored 11 goals, and won 11 major titles. Three years later, in September 2020, Harder made a historic transfer from Wolfsburg to join Emma Hayes’ team. The world record cost paid by Chelsea for the Denmark international was surpassed by Keira Walsh’s summer 2017 transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona.
“Magdalena and Pernille are two excellent athletes who have plenty of experience. They have participated in several important competitions, both at the club level and internationally with national teams, and they have won a lot of trophies in those events,” Bayern Munich head coach Alexandar Straus said after the signing of Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson. “They are the perfect complement to our group and raise the caliber of our already excellent workforce. They’ll elevate us to a new level. It makes us really delighted.”
Harder has been injured for a large portion of this season, but Eriksson has played a crucial role in Chelsea’s continued success. Both players participated in their Women’s FA Cup victory over Manchester United, which enabled the team to win their fourth straight WSL championship. With Chelsea, Eriksson won five WSL championships, four FA Cups, and two League Cups. In 2021, she and the team also advanced to the final of the Champions League. Harder, who was a member of that team, leaves the organization. She played with Wolfsburg from 2017 to 2020, scoring 105 goals in 114 competitive matches and earning two votes for European Footballer of the Year. She now rejoins the Bundesliga.
“I was immediately filled with optimism. FC Bayern is a remarkable team with a noteworthy past. I’m particularly looking forward to meeting my new teammates, succeeding as a team, growing as a person, and also learning about the club’s culture,” Erikkson said. “The potential is just enormous, and everything I’ve read or heard about the team and Munich has been great. I had never heard so many nice things about ex-club players, which was one of the reasons I wanted to come here. The experience here was enjoyable for all of my Swedish national team teammates.”
“FC Bayern is a fantastic organization, and both the players and the squad are very talented. I was very eager to participate. Alexander Straus also made a positive impact on me,” Harder added. “After three years, I enjoyed my time in the Bundesliga and am glad to be going back. The German national team’s performance at the 2017 European Championships demonstrates how the league has changed. I’m glad to be back in the Bundesliga and am eager to go back to playing here.”
Lauren James, meanwhile, just agreed to a new deal that would keep her with the team through 2027. The 21-year-old forward just received a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s England team for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer. This will be the striker’s first big competition for the Lionesses. James took up the Young Player of the Year award at the first-ever Women’s Football Awards last week. James attended Chelsea’s academy and made her senior debut for Arsenal when she was 16 years old. After signing her first professional contract with Manchester United, she returned to the Blues in July 2021 on a four-year agreement.
“Extending my stay at the club I like and where I feel most at home is a wonderful feeling. I’m excited about the future and want to realize all of my potential,” James said. “As a player and as a person, I want to be the best version of myself possible in order to motivate the following generation. I’ve always wanted to be here, and it definitely seems like home.”
Catarina Macario, an American forward, is about to join Chelsea, according to recent reports. When her contract with Lyon expires at the end of the month, the 23-year-old will switch. After sustaining an ACL injury in June 2022, Macario has not played and will not compete in this summer’s World Cup.
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