Melanie Leupolz has signed a new contract with Chelsea, keeping the midfielder at the club until the summer of 2026.
The 28-year-old German international has been on maternity leave after giving birth to her first child in October 2022, and begins her re-integration into the first team environment by putting pen-to-paper on a new deal.
Speaking after signing the extension, Leupolz said: ‘When I was leaving Bayern, Chelsea was my favourite club and I wanted to join. I was really lucky that it worked out and my time here has been so special.
‘I played the first one and a half years and it feels like I’m not done here, which is why I wanted to extend. I want more games with the team, more chances to win titles and one big ambition is to win the Champions League.’
General manager Paul Green commented: ‘We are delighted that Melanie has extended her contract after returning from her maternity leave. Melly played a key part in our success in her first 18 months at the club and will almost be like a new signing coming back in to the squad this month. We are looking forward to seeing her back in a blue shirt and building on that success over the upcoming years.
Leupolz joined the Blues ahead of our 2020/21 campaign, signing from Bayern Munich where she spent six years in the Frauen-Bundesliga and won two league titles. She arrived with a wealth of experience and proven pedigree at the highest level.
In March 2022, having not featured for the Blues since the previous December, Leupolz announced her pregnancy and happily welcomed a new member to her family last October.
