Chelsea complete signing of Spain international Alejandra Bernabe

Chelsea have announced the signing of defender Alejandra Bernabe from Atletico Madrid.

The 21-year-old joins the Blues on a three-year contract, but will remain on loan at Real Sociedad next season to continue her development in her native Spain. She spent the last campaign on loan at La Real from Atletico.

Bernabe is the latest name that Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has signed this window, following the additions of young German starlet Sjoeke Nusken and USWNT forward Catarina Macario.

In a statement, Bernabe said: "I am so happy to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity that Chelsea have given to me. I'm so excited because it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Hayes added: "Alejandra has a fantastic left foot, and it's very difficult to find players of her ability who can progress the ball up the pitch on the dribble. We know she can become a top left-sided player in the future, and we're excited to watch her develop and grow."

The young defender climbed the youth ranks at Madrid CFF before debuting for the senior team in 2018. She moved to Atletico in 2019, where she made 47 appearances across the senior and B sides.

The left-footed attacking full-back is known for her work ethic and has made 76 senior appearances so far across Liga F and Women's Champions League. She also won the Spanish Super Cup in 2021 with Atletico.

Bernabe won the 2018 U17 European Championship with Spain and was also capped at U19 level before she earned her first and only current cap for the senior team in their 7-0 win over Argentina in November 2022.

She was not named in Jorge Vilda's provisional training squad ahead of this summer's World Cup, however.

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