Chelsea: Pernille Harder & Magdalena Eriksson to leave club in summer
- Published
Magdalena Eriksson (with cup) won her 11th trophy with Chelsea on Sunday when the Blues beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final
Captain Magdalena Eriksson and forward Pernille Harder will leave Chelsea when their contracts expire this summer.
Eriksson, 29, has made 183 appearances and won 11 trophies for the Blues since joining from Linkopings in 2017.
Harder's £250,000 move from Wolfsburg in 2020 was a women's world record transfer fee at the time.
"It's with a heavy heart and so many emotions I announce that my journey as a Blue will come to an end," said Eriksson.
"I see myself as extremely privileged to have played a part in this great club's history.
"It's been one heck of a journey, and I will carry the memories we've created together for the rest of my life. I will miss you all so very much."
Denmark international Harder, who was sidelined through injury between November and April this season, tweeted: "It's been a dream coming true playing for this amazing club and I've loved every single moment along the way."
Eriksson and Harder, 30, have both been linked with a move to German side Bayern Munich this summer.
Sweden defender Eriksson has been Chelsea's captain since 2019 and manager Emma Hayes said she would "forever remain a legend" at the club.
"There are not enough words to describe the impact Magda has had, not just on this football club but on me," Hayes said.
"She has been a wonderful leader, someone who has helped drive the team and its standards to the levels that we're at.
"Chelsea will always be her club, it will always be her home."
Meanwhile, Hayes called Harder, who has scored 44 goals in 79 games for the Blues, "one of the best attacking players in the world".
Chelsea have two games remaining in the Women's Super League and are challenging for a fourth consecutive title, having already won this season's FA Cup - their third in a row - by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final on Sunday.
Blues midfielder Fran Kirby said on Twitter: "We lose a legend, a captain, someone who gives 100% for the badge and an amazing person. Thank you for everything Magda Eriksson. We will all miss you."
'Eriksson and Harder exits will be a loss' - analysis
Emma Sanders, BBC Sport reporter
The impact the pair have had on Chelsea has been huge for different reasons.
Aside from the long list of trophies Magdalena Eriksson has won during her six seasons at the club, it is her role in growing a winning culture at Chelsea which will have a lasting effect.
As captain, she has worked closely alongside manager Emma Hayes to drive a squad which is hungry for success.
The relentlessness in which they have picked up silverware and dominated English football has been astonishing - and Eriksson has been at the forefront of that.
Following injuries to centre-back pairing Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan this season, the defender has stepped up, playing a key role in Chelsea's hunt for an FA Cup-WSL double.
Her next chapter is likely to be at Bayern Munich alongside Pernille Harder, who is also linked with a move to Germany.
Harder has shown her worth in recent performances following her return from a lengthy injury - impressing in Sunday's FA Cup final win and scoring her fifth goal in three WSL games on Wednesday.
She was the world's most expensive player when she arrived in London and remains one of the world's best strikers on her departure.
Both will be a loss to Chelsea but Hayes has already been planning for the future, with players emerging this season as capable replacements.
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