Chelsea Women Break Transfer Record to Sign Mayra Ramirez

Chelsea Women have made a historic move in the transfer market by breaking their own record to sign Colombian striker Mayra Ramirez from Spanish side Levante. The British-record fee of £385,000 could potentially become a new world-record fee if £43,000 in add-ons are met. This surpasses the £400,000 Barcelona paid to acquire Keira Walsh from Manchester City.

Ramirez has been in exceptional form at Levante, scoring six goals in seven league games this season and a total of 14 goals in the previous campaign. The 24-year-old forward has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Chelsea Women, bolstering their attacking options.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Ramirez was ignited by the unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered by star striker Sam Kerr earlier this month. The Australian international has been a key figure in Chelsea’s success, scoring 58 goals in 73 Women’s Super League (WSL) games and winning the Golden Boot twice during her time with the club.

The signing of Ramirez marks a significant investment for Chelsea Women, surpassing their previous most expensive acquisition of Pernille Harder for £250,000 in 2020. Ramirez’s versatility, athleticism, and impressive scoring record caught the attention of the club’s general manager, Paul Green.

Speaking about her move to Chelsea Women, Ramirez expressed her honor and excitement to join such a prestigious club. She stated that signing for Chelsea has been a lifelong dream for her.

In addition to her club success, Ramirez has also represented Colombia on the international stage, making 30 appearances and helping her country reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup, where they were defeated by eventual runners-up England.

Chelsea Women’s manager, Emma Hayes, had previously expressed confidence in her squad’s ability to cope without Kerr. However, the club’s decision to break their transfer record emphasizes their determination to maintain their pursuit of multiple titles this season, including defending their WSL and FA Cup titles, as well as their Champions League campaign.

As part of the transfer deal, Chelsea Women are expected to recoup a substantial portion of Ramirez’s fee by allowing Jessie Fleming to depart for around £250,000 to join Portland Thorns.

The signing of Mayra Ramirez presents a much-needed boost to Chelsea Women’s attack, as they look to fill the void left by Sam Kerr’s injury and continue their quest for silverware across multiple competitions. With the addition of Ramirez’s dynamic playing style and goal-scoring prowess, the Blues will aim to maintain their status as one of the leading forces in women’s football.