Chelsea Ladies sign duo from Arsenal

Chelsea Ladies have signed experienced England midfielder Katie Chapman and promising defender Gilly Flaherty from rivals Arsenal.

The pair are reunited with Blues boss Emma Hayes, who worked with both players when she was assistant manager of the Gunners.

Former Fulham midfielder Chapman, 31, has been capped 82 times by England but took a break from national-team duty in 2011 and was not part of Great Britain’s Olympic Games squad in 2012.

Centre-back Flaherty came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and her performances were rewarded with a call-up in England manager Mark Sampson’s first squad.

The 22-year-old, who scored the first-ever Women’s Super League goal against Chelsea in April 2011, admitted it was a tough decision to leave the Gunners.

She said: “Getting the chance to work with Emma again, plus the vision here at Chelsea, was just too good to turn down.

“The ambition of the club matched mine – I’m a winner and I’m determined to win trophies for the club and compete to play for England in major tournaments in the near future.”

Hayes described Flaherty as ‘the best uncapped player in the country’.

She added: “In my opinion she will become a bedrock for club and country as she has all the hallmarks of a top-class player.

“Her experience and winning mentality is what sets her apart and she is a fabulous role model too.”

Last November, Chelsea added England pair Rachel Williams and Laura Bassett to their squad, with the duo helping Hayes’ team to the final of the International Women’s Club Championship in Japan in December.

The new Women’s Super League season kicks off in April.

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