On Thursday afternoon in a move that many thought was only a matter of time, the club’s captain since 2019 announced she will be departing the club at the conclusion of the campaign. She along with her partner Pernille Harder made their decisions public as the west London outfit has to figure out where to go next with two vital pieces to their puzzle of success are saying farewell. The two seem to be on their way to Bayern Munich with the German club continuing to establish its as one of the powerhouses in European women’s football.
An amazing journey, an emotional goodbye. 🥺
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 18, 2023
After six incredible years, @MagdaEricsson will leave Chelsea at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/sBAYlFSegS
Still, with the news nearly confirmed weeks ago, it is not easy to swallow for any CFCW fan. The Swede was given the armband from Karen Carney ahead of the 2019/2020 campaign, and never looked back. From her debut against Bristol City in 2017 where she netted her first of 11 goals for the club to leading the Blues out onto the pitch in front of a packed house at Stamford Bridge. Four WSL titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and an FA Women’s Community Shield. The silverware speaks to the influence she had since day one. Her individual honors include being a member of a WSL Team of the Season, and finishing in the top-11 of the Ballon d’Or in 2021 among numerous others.
Coming in after the 2017 WSL Spring Series, the Swedish international started in 14 out of the 15 league contests she contributed to en route to the club’s second WSL trophy. The club had just two major trophies to its name before the Swede came arrived. 183 total appearances, and 102 WSL outings later, Eriksson led the charge of what would be a remarkable rise by a team that has now become known as one of the best women’s clubs in the world.