The 20-year-old played youth football with FC Uitgeest before making her professional debut in 2021 with VV Alkmaar. She went on to make her AZ Alkmaar debut, the team that replaced VV in the Eredivisie, in 2023.

Upon joining the Blues, Liefting said: ‘It is really amazing. I am so proud. It is just such a big club. I’m really honoured to be here.’

Head of women’s football Paul Green added: ‘Femke is an exciting goalkeeper whom we have been tracking over the last few years.

‘She has vast experience for a player of her age, with over 50 senior appearances in the Dutch league already, to go alongside an illustrious career so far with the Dutch youth national teams.’

‘We look forward to seeing her development continue in the upcoming years.’

On the international stage, our new No.28 has impressed at youth level for the Netherlands. She represented her country at the U-17s and U-19s European Championships, before playing at the U-20s World Cup in Colombia last summer.

During that tournament, the young goalkeeper produced big saves in decisive moments including saving two shootout penalties in the quarter-final victory over the tournament hosts.

Liefting was named goalkeeper of the tournament, winning the Golden Glove award, as the Netherlands finished fourth.

Her form has recently been rewarded with senior call-ups having been named in the last two Dutch squads.

Everyone at Chelsea is thrilled to welcome Femke to the club and we look forward to watching her develop during her time in London.