Walsh's Move to Chelsea Driven by Desire to Return to England
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Synopsis
Keira Walsh has returned to England after a successful time with Barcelona, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal with Chelsea FC. Her decision was primarily motivated by a desire to be closer to family and friends.
Key Takeaways
- Walsh's return to England was influenced by family.
- She experienced challenges while playing abroad.
- Walsh has a successful history with Manchester City.
- She won multiple trophies with Barcelona.
- Walsh is a key player for the England national team.
London, Feb 1 (NationPress) After a fruitful period in Spain with Barcelona, Keira Walsh has made her return to England by signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea FC. The midfielder expressed that her decision was heavily influenced by her desire to be closer to home.
‘It was a huge motivator. I’ll admit, I underestimated how challenging it would be to be away from my family and friends while abroad. The transfer happened so quickly that I didn’t have time to fully understand what it would mean to be on my own. At times, it was truly tough, and I faced struggles off the pitch,’ Walsh shared.
“This season felt somewhat easier because Ellie Roebuck joined us, and we have been great friends for years. It’s well-known that I wanted to come back and play closer to my loved ones. Having my family in the stands is something I’ve longed for, and when I spoke to Chelsea, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” Walsh stated.
Walsh's professional journey began at Blackburn Rovers before she moved to Manchester City as a teenager in 2014. Her debut season concluded with her winning City’s first major trophy: the League Cup. In 2016, she played a crucial role in helping City secure a domestic double, clinching the first Women’s Super League title and the FA Cup at Wembley.
She went on to lift the FA Cup twice more during her tenure in Manchester, scoring the opening goal against West Ham in the 2019 final and playing the entire match when City triumphed over Everton the following season.
After eight prosperous years in Manchester, Walsh transferred to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, where she collected eight trophies, including six domestic titles and two UEFA Champions League victories.
On the international front, Walsh has emerged as a significant player for England since her senior debut in November 2017. She represented the Lionesses at the 2019 World Cup in France and played a key role in their 2022 European Championship victory. She was awarded Player of the Match in the final against Germany at Wembley and was included in the Team of the Tournament.
