Anita Asante has left Chelsea FC Women following the conclusion of her contract, ending a second spell with the Blues.
The defensive midfielder returned to Chelsea in January 2018 from Swedish side Rosengard almost a decade after her previous spell with the Blues.
The 35-year-old’s time at Chelsea had been hindered by injuries, sustaining an ACL injury after just five appearances for the Blues while away with England and then a quadricep tendon tear last October, which ended up being her final appearance.
Manager Emma Hayes told the club’s website: ‘I could spend a lot of time talking about Neetz – how can I say in a few sentences what a person has meant to me over a number of years? All I know is that I’m full of pride about the person she is.
‘The contribution she’s made in her playing career to date has been exceptional. She’s always around winning. She holds everybody to the highest standards, but also demonstrates them herself.
‘She’s a fabulous team-mate, she’s been a friend and supportive of everything I’ve done. I don’t think it’s the end – Anita Asante and my path will cross a number of times in the future.’
