The Danish international made the switch to London from German side Wolfsburg ahead of our 2020/21 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season. She will continue to represent the Blues for our final two league matches of the campaign as we maintain our challenge for the WSL title.

With a keen eye for goal, the Dane has shown there is more to her game than just finishing. She has the ability to create chances for her team-mates, showing versatility across the frontline or in an attacking-midfield role during her time here.

Having spent just under three years at Chelsea, the 30-year-old forward has made 79appearances for the club and scored 44 goals in that time. She has contributed significantly to the WSL, FA Cup and League Cup triumphs we have enjoyed throughout her Blues career.

Her final season in blue has been hampered by a hamstring injury suffered while on international duty last November. After a lengthy absence, Harder returned to the matchday squad for our FA Cup semi-final victory over Aston Villa in April and has featured in all five of our matches in May.

On Pernille’s departure, manager Emma Hayes said: ‘Pernille is one of the best attacking players in the world and you see all of them qualities day in, day out. She has always been so driven to succeed, to get to the top and to help the team win trophies.

‘Although she’s been missed with injury this season, we’ve seen especially in the last few games what qualities she has. I want to place on record my thanks for her brilliant contributions to the team’s success the past few years and I wish her the best for the future.’

Harder enjoyed a fine debut season at Chelsea, playing an important role in our successes, which included helping us to lift the 2020/21 WSL title and reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League final for the first time in our history.

She was an ever-present figure and racked up 37 appearances in 40 matches, 28 of which were starts. Harder found the back of the net 17 times and was our third top scorer that season, only behind Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby.

Her performances on the European stage during our run to the Champions League final were rewarded when she was named in the 2020/21 Women’s Champions League Squad of the Season for the fifth consecutive time.

In her second year with the Blues, Harder helped us clinch further WSL and FA Cup titles. During the 2021/22 campaign, she played 29 out of the 39 games and scored 13 times as we went on to win the domestic double.

On an individual level, Harder’s performances were being recognised and she was nominated for two personal accolades. She was up for the PFA Player of the Year award, while one of her strikes was in the running for WSL Goal of the Season.

This season, Harder was sidelined through injury between November and April. She returned to the matchday squad for our FA Cup semi-final victory over Aston Villa last month, and provided the assist for Kerr’s winning goal which secured our third consecutive FA Cup triumph at Wembley on Sunday.

Everyone at Chelsea thanks Pernille for the fantastic service she has given to the club and wishes her every success for the next stage of her career. We hope you will join us in giving Pernille a proper Kingsmeadow send off at our final home league fixture against Arsenal on Sunday.