The 18-year-old centre-back joins the Blues on a four-year deal following impressive performances for PSV in the Vrouwen Eredivisie and Cup last season, where she made 14 appearances across both competitions.

After signing for the Blues, she said: ‘This is the perfect step for my career. Chelsea’s vision for my development aligns perfectly with my own.

‘Over the past year, it went rapidly, and I’m excited to take the next step with Chelsea's support.

‘Chelsea is a top club and the reigning champion of England. I feel honoured that such a big club has come forward at this stage. However, I’m happy to spend another year at PSV, continuing to develop at the highest level in the Netherlands.’

General manager Paul Green added: ‘We’re really pleased to bring Veerle to the club.

‘She is a left-sided centre-back that we have watched come through the ranks at PSV and the young Dutch national teams. She did well last season coming into the PSV first team and indeed earning her first senior national team call-up.

‘We look forward to seeing her do well again for PSV this season and continuing her development.’

Buurman’s form at club level recently earned her maiden call-ups to the Netherlands’ senior team during the group stages of the European Championship qualifiers.

Those inclusions follow the success the young defender has had on the international stage at youth level, having been a standout performer at the U-17s and U-19s European Championships.

She is currently representing the Netherlands at the U-20s World Cup in Colombia where she has scored two goals and helped her country reach the quarter-finals, where they will play the hosts this Sunday.

Everyone at Chelsea would like to welcome Veerle to the club, and we wish her well during her time on loan at PSV this season.