Growing up in French Guiana, Jean-Francois would keep a watchful eye on the London club with one of her compatriots turning out in blue.

Years later, she has just penned a three-year deal, with the option for a further year, which will see her play the next chapter of her career in the same colours.

‘I know a lot about Chelsea because I come from French Guiana and Florent Malouda also comes from there,’ explained Jean-Francois in her first interview at Stamford Bridge. ‘Because of him, I supported Chelsea when I was younger.

‘I know that the women and men’s teams win trophies here. I know that Chelsea is Chelsea. Nothing else can be like Chelsea.’

Playing in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni as a youngster, she would leave her hometown at only 15 years old to chase her dream, moving to the mainland of France to join the under-16 team of FCF Juvisy, who would go on to become Paris FC.

An introduction to professional football would come at Paris FC, signing a first contract and making her senior debut just before her 18th birthday. A move to Paris Saint-Germain was to follow and now at 22, she is a Blue.

To move away in pursuit of a new adventure is not something unfamiliar to Jean-Francois. In fact, it is something she has always tried to embrace.

‘An advantage for me is that I can speak English so I am not afraid about new challenges,’ said Jean-Francois. ‘For me, in life you have to move, you have to travel to discover new cultures and to meet new people.’

Although moving away felt like a must to Jean-Francois, it could not have been easy. How would the young Oriane, who left home to pursue a successful career, feel about her now signing for Chelsea?

‘Proud,’ said Jean-Francois. ‘She would be proud because years ago I would not believe people if they told me I would be coming here today.’

Now a Blue in her own right, Jean-Francois has goals she wants to hit at Chelsea. She has hopes for silverware and personal development.

She recognises at this stage of her career she is not yet the full package, but believes this is the right place to take her to the next level. PSG, Jean-Francois says, helped her become known in European football, but at Chelsea she wants to make history.

‘What I really want to do is win the first Champions League with the girls,’ said Jean-Francois. ‘That is the goal I want to reach.

'I want to be a very important part of this team. I want to make history here.

‘With Sonia [Bompastor] just coming here, I think it is going to be easier for me to adapt to a new team because, of course, she is French. I need to improve my football because I am still young and have a lot to learn. I want to grow and I want to learn.’

Jean Francois describes herself as a defensive player. She makes the opposition uncomfortable, wins the ball back and helps her team-mates play. The midfielder’s performances on the pitch, she believes, are helped by her zen mindset.

‘When I was younger I did taekwondo,’ explained Jean-Francois. ‘It helped me be calm on the pitch.

‘It is important [to be level-headed] because the first thing with football is that it is a game. I really love football; it is my passion, so I want to have fun when I play. That is most important to me.

‘If I am calm then it helps me play and helps the team play. If we are thinking and worrying about the result before playing the game then I won’t be playing well.’

Like Malouda, there is another former Blue who Jean-Francois looks up to. And similarly to our latest recruit, he was someone who took to the pitch in Chelsea colours with an aura of calmness around him.

‘My role model is N’Golo Kante,’ added Jean-Francois. ‘He is humble and he plays for the team. For him, the most important thing is the team before himself and that is how I like to think on the pitch, too.’

Joining Chelsea is set to be a fresh start for Jean-Francois in more ways than one. A new country and a new league was what she sought for the next chapter following a serious knee injury.

The midfielder missed most of last season with PSG after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a Champions League qualifying match against Manchester United.

‘The questions I had when my PSG contract was coming to its end was, 'did I want to stay in my comfort zone and stay with all the people who know me and know how I play or did I want a new challenge?' explained Jean-Francois. ‘I really needed to change atmosphere and area to start a new journey.

‘My knee is feeling very good. At the end of last season, I was training completely with the club, so I am ready to start the new season here with Chelsea.’