Having just signed a further two-year contract extension with the Blues, Sophie Ingle celebrates being named among the King’s New Year’s Honours, where she will be bestowed with an OBE for her services to football and role as Wales captain.

On hearing the news, Ingle commented: ‘I am truly honoured to receive this. It is a huge honour for not only myself, but my family and all those involved with the Welsh women’s side who have worked tirelessly to help the platform be where it is today.’

The midfielder has enjoyed two spells with the Blues, first joining the club back in 2012. She went on to represent Bristol and Liverpool, before returning to Chelsea ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

After her first season back in blue, Ingle was named Players’ Player of the Year. Her first four goals for the club were scored during the 2019/20 campaign, including a spectacular hit against Arsenal in a thumping away win at Boreham Wood, which was nominated for FIFA’s prestigious Puskas Award.

Her efforts were rewarded with a contract extension during the 2020/21 campaign and Ingle has been integral to the success we have enjoyed in recent years, with only three players featuring more regularly than her.

On the international stage, Ingle made her senior debut for Wales as an 18-year-old in a World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in 2009. She was awarded the captaincy five years later and reached 100 caps for her country in 2020. She represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021, the only Welsh player in the squad, and proudly wore the armband for one of their games.

Everyone at Chelsea wishes to congratulate Sophie on this incredible personal achievement.