Jess Carter leaves Chelsea to join NJ/NY Gotham FC

Chelsea have confirmed the departure of defender Jess Carter, who has sealed a move to NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham City FC after six years with the Blues.

The 26-year-old moved to Chelsea in 2018 from Birmingham City and went on to surpass 150 appearances, establishing herself as an important component in the Chelsea defence. 

Carter has now signed to NWSL side Gotham on a multi-year deal that will keep her stateside until 2026.

"I cannot wait to join Gotham FC," said Carter. "The club is playing at an incredible level right now in one of the toughest leagues in the world. I cannot wait to be a part of it all."

Speaking to The Equalizer as the deal was announced, the defender added: "I've always been interested in the NWSL - my dad's side of the family is from here and ever since I was young I've paid a lot of attention to the league.

"It was always about timing, but over the years I have seen the league grow in a really positive direction."

Carter took to social media to bid farewell to Chelsea.

"Six incredible years and too many trophies to count," she wrote. "Thank you to all who have been on this journey with me, my time here will never be forgotten that's for sure. All the best to Chelsea for the future."

Gotham already have a host of impressive players on their books, especially after spending the months before the 2024 season prioritising recruitment. Carter will share the pitch with USWNT national team players Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle, Crystal Dunne and Lynn Williams. 

After joining Chelsea, Carter had to bide her time, making sixteen starts in her first campaign and seven the following season, with five of those coming in the team's triumphant Continental Cup campaign. 

She celebrated her first goal for Chelsea in January 2020 against Bristol City in what went on to be one of her five WSL title-winning seasons.

Fast forward to the 2021/22 season, in what’s described as a breakthrough campaign for Carter, she managed to hold down a regular spot in the starting squad. Her efforts were rewarded in the summer of 2022 with a first call-up to the England senior team, and she was part of the squad that went on to be crowned champions of Europe. 

After returning from Australia after representing the Lionesses in the World Cup final last year, Carter played an instrumental role in helping the Blues secure their fifth consecutive title, and was named Chelsea’s Player’s Player of the Season for 2023/24, alongside being included in the Champions League Team of the Season after they reached the semi-finals. 

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