Chelsea have completed the signing of France forward Melvine Malard from Manchester United for a fee of around £850,000, with the forward putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.
Malard will wear the number 9 shirt at Chelsea and will link up with her new teammates once the squad’s summer break ends, ahead of a pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia.
Here’s everything you need to know about the London club’s newest addition.
1) Melvine Malard Started Her Career On Réunion
Melvine Malard began her football journey with Saint-Denis FC on the French island of Réunion, before joining Lyon in 2014. During her time there, she went on to win multiple European and domestic titles, including four Women’s Champions League trophies.
2) She Was a Proven Goalscorer at Manchester United
Melvine Malard joined United on loan from Lyon in 2023, before the move was made permanent in 2024.
Across her time at Old Trafford, she scored 23 goals in 95 appearances, and played a key role in United’s 2024 Women’s FA Cup final win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, the club’s first major trophy.
She was United’s most productive attacker last season, involved in 19 goals across all competitions.
3) She Has a Long-Standing Relationship with Sonia Bompastor
After signing for Chelsea, Melvine Malard is now reunited with The Blues’ manager Sonia Bompastor, having first been scouted by her during their time together at Lyon.
Bompastor later gave her valuable senior appearances, including a substitute appearance in Lyon’s 2020 Champions League final win over Wolfsburg.
4) She’s a Regular in the French National Team
On the international stage, Melvine Malard has scored 14 goals in 41 appearances for France.
She was a core member of the squad at both Euro 2022 and Euro 2025, cementing her place as a key part of the national team setup.
5) Her Transfer is a Record-Breaker
Melvine Malard’s £850,000 move to Chelsea is reported to be a club-record sale for a Manchester United women’s player.
