German midfielder Melanie Leupolz signs new deal after returning from maternity leave

Melanie Leupolz joined the Blues ahead of the 2020-21 campaign

Moving from Bayern Munich where she spent six years; she managed 34 appearances and scored nine goals during her first season at Chelsea; the 28-year-old has signed a new deal until 2026. The 28-year-old is currently being reintegrated into the first team after giving birth to her first child in October.

Leupolz is the second Chelsea midfielder to commit her future to the club in recent weeks after Sophie Ingle signed a new deal at the end of December.

Speaking after signing the extension, Leupolz said: ‘When I was leaving Bayern, Chelsea was my favorite club and I wanted to join. I was really lucky that it worked out and my time here has been so special.

‘I played the first one-and-a-half years and it feels like I’m not done here, which is why I wanted to extend. I want more games with the team, more chances to win titles and one big ambition is to win the Champions League.’

General manager Paul Green commented: ‘We are delighted that Melanie has extended her contract after returning from her maternity leave. Melly played a key part in our success in her first 18 months at the club and will almost be like a new signing coming back into the squad this month. We are looking forward to seeing her back in a blue shirt and building on that success over the upcoming years.’

Leupolz joined the Blues ahead of our 2020/21 campaign, signing from Bayern Munich where she spent six years in the Frauen-Bundesliga and won two league titles. She arrived with a wealth of experience and proven pedigree at the highest level.

It was a hugely successful introduction to English football for Leupolz, who played an important role in midfield as we secured the Women’s Super League and the Continental League Cup, while also reaching our maiden Champions League final in her debut season. It was the German’s strike that gave us a vital away goal against her former club Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

Leupolz also has an impressive international pedigree, making her senior debut at 19 and having registered more than 75 caps. The midfielder helped Germany to victory at the 2013 European Championships and won the 2016 Olympic gold medal before representing her country at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups in Canada and France respectively.

At Chelsea, she has won the Women’s Super League twice, two Women’s FA Cups, and the League Cup. Leupolz also scored a crucial goal at her former side Bayern to help Chelsea to the Champions League final in her debut season.

The deal was worth a reported £250,000 and broke the previous record which was set by Lauren James’ £200,000 move from Manchester United to Chelsea in 2021.

She managed 34 appearances and scored nine goals during her first season at the club – including one on her home debut against Bristol, a campaign where she proved herself to be adept from the penalty spot and a threat from attacking set-pieces.

During the first half of the 2021/22 campaign, Leupolz was a regular starter for the Blues. She continued her habit of scoring important goals, netting in our FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City before starting the final against Arsenal at Wembley, where we were victorious.

In March 2022, having not featured for the Blues since the previous December, Leupolz announced her pregnancy and happily welcomed a new member to the Chelsea family last October.

Everyone at Chelsea wishes to congratulate Melanie on her new contract and wishes her success in the future.