The 29-year-old will stay with the Blues for the remainder of the season as we continue our bid to secure the league and FA Cup titles.

A product of our Centre of Excellence and our longest-serving player, Spence has been an integral member of Emma Hayes’ side over the past 10 years and has racked up 238 appearances so far for Chelsea, scoring 50 goals. Most recently in February 2020, Spence signed a new contract at the club, extending her time with the Blues until the end of this season.

Spence made her Chelsea debut back in 2009 and since then has enjoyed an illustrious career with the Blues, helping to win all 11 of our major trophies.

During her time at Chelsea she has become a champion of England five times, an FA Cup winner three times and also has two Continental Cup and one Community Shield under her belt. Spence also netted her 50th goal for the Blues back in March as we beat Birmingham City 5-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Not only has Spence enjoyed a glistening club career, she has impressed on the international stage. In 2015, Spence’s fine form earned her a senior call-up to the Lionesses for the Yongchuan International Tournament. Spence also qualified for the Jamaica national team and earned her first cap for the Reggae Girlz in October 2021. Most recently, Spence represented Jamaica as they qualified for the Concacaf Championships this summer, edging them one step closer to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

On Spence’s departure, Emma Hayes commented: ‘Drew has epitomised everything that we have been about in my tenure. She’s watched the club grow from amateur to one of the top teams in Europe and she’s been instrumental in that journey.

‘I’ve watched Drew grow from a young player and blossomed as a senior pro. I’m excited for her next steps, she’s fully deserving of everything she’s achieved and again she will join a group of legends for what she has done at this football club and I know everyone here will really miss her.’

Chelsea thanks Spence for her time at the club and wishes her all the best in her next chapter. We look forward to giving Spence a well-deserved send-off at our last WSL match of the season at Kingsmeadow this Sunday.