Mayra Ramirez: Chelsea sign Colombia striker for British record fee

Mayra Ramirez has scored six times in seven games for Levante this season

Chelsea have signed Levante striker Mayra Ramirez for a British record fee.

The Liga F side have announced they will receive 450,000 euros (£384,000) for the Colombia forward, plus up to 50,000 euros (£42,600) in add-ons.

Ramirez has scored six times in seven games for Levante this season.

The 24-year-old becomes the most expensive women's player in British history, overtaking Jill Roord who joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg for more than £300,000 in 2023.

If all the add-ons are paid then the Ramirez deal would be a new world record, surpassing England midfielder Keira Walsh's move to Barcelona for £400,000 in 2022.

Ramirez was watching on at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's Champions League victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday.

She is eligible to be registered for their Champions League squad from the quarter-finals onwards, despite representing Levante in the qualifying rounds.

Her signing comes after star striker Sam Kerr was ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Chelsea forward Catarina Macario, who joined the Blues from Lyon in the summer, is also recovering from an ACL injury which has kept her out of action since 2022.

Ramirez said: "I am very honoured to be a part of Chelsea. To be part of such a huge club is a dream come true and one I've had since I was a little girl."

Chelsea are currently three points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the Women's Super League and won their Champions League group earlier this week.