After signing a four-year contract with the Blues, Aspin will spend the forthcoming season with Bristol City to continue her development. The Robins will compete in the Women’s Super League having earned promotion from the Women’s Championship at the end of the previous campaign.

Speaking on the prospect of playing for Chelsea, Aspin said: ‘It feels amazing, I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl and to be here right now, I can’t really put it into words. I’m excited to learn from the best, the players and staff are world class and I want to be world class myself. This is where I want to be and what I want to surround myself with.’

Manager Emma Hayes commented: ‘Brooke is a player that we have been tracking for the last three years. She has extensive experience for her age and is a young centre-back that we have very high hopes for in the future.’

General manager Paul Green added: ‘We believe Brooke is the best young centre-back of her age in the country. We look forward to seeing her continue to develop this season in the WSL at Bristol City.’

Aspin is a product of the Bristol City academy system, progressing into the first team where she made her debut at the age of 16. She is an aggressive and dominant defender who despite her age has shown excellent maturity and leadership skills in the last two seasons.

Despite a health setback early last season, she returned at the back end of the campaign and helped her team achieve promotion to the WSL in a 4-0 win at Ashton Gate, a game in which Aspin herself scored a header.

On the international stage, she has represented England across the age groups at youth level. Aspin has played for the Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 teams respectively and captained the latter in her last appearance.

Everyone at Chelsea would like to welcome Brooke to the club, and extend our best wishes to her for the upcoming season with Bristol City.