Chelsea Ladies sign England U-23 star

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Chelsea Ladies have signed England Under-23 international midfielder Millie Bright from Doncaster Belles.

The 21-year-old was shortlisted for the FA Women’s Super League 2 player of the year award last season and was invited to train with the England senior squad earlier this year.

Bright is manager Emma Hayes’ second signing of the close season, having added England winger Gemma Davison to the squad last month.

A former striker who can also play at centre-back, the versatile Bright joined Doncaster from the Sheffield United centre of excellence in 2009.

She said: “It is great to be signing for this club and I am ready for the step up.

“I wanted to be back in WSL 1 and to be here with so many great role models and players is fantastic.

“The standard was good in WSL 2 last season but I felt I needed the step up to move my career forward and I am excited to get going now.

“It is an honour to be here and I am just looking forward to the start of training and working with top players on a daily basis.”

Chelsea Ladies assistant manager Paul Green signed Bright during his time at Doncaster and is delighted to be reunited with the player.

He said: “Millie is a great character and a young player who is hungry to develop and improve her game.

“She has a lot of experience for a 21-year-old and has already played a lot of games in the FA WSL and knows what the league is all about.

“She will add strength and physicality to the squad and I’m sure that she will prove to be a good addition to this talented group of players as we look to build on last season’s achievements.”

Meanwhile, defender Emma Wilhelmsson has left the club.

The Swede signed for the Blues earlier this year having impressed on trial during the International Women’s Club Championship in Japan.

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