OL Lyonnes reinforce attack with three-year signing of Chelsea star

Olympique Lyonnais (OL Lyonnes) have completed the signing of 29‑year‑old Swedish international Johanna Rytting Kaneryd from Chelsea on a three‑year contract, announced on the club’s website on Monday. The winger arrives after four seasons in South West London, where she featured in 139 matches and netted 17 goals.

During her time at Chelsea, Rytting Kaneryd collected three Barclays Women’s Super League crowns, two Women’s FA Cups and two Women’s League Cups. Her 139 appearances and 17 goals underline a blend of experience and attacking contribution. The Swedish international’s proven pedigree in England’s top flight makes her a valuable addition for a club accustomed to elite talent.

OL Lyonnes entered the 2023‑24 season after securing a domestic treble last campaign, confirming their dominance of French women’s football. The club’s immediate ambition is to reclaim the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy, which they last lifted in the 2021/2022 season. Adding a player of Rytting Kaneryd’s calibre aligns with their strategy to reinforce the squad for European glory.

For Rytting Kaneryd, the move marks her first professional stint in France, offering a new tactical environment and exposure to Ligue 1 Feminin. She will join a side that consistently challenges for continental honors, providing a platform to compete for the Champions League again. The transfer also signals her intent to add European silverware to her résumé after success in England.

Chelsea, who signed Rytting Kaneryd from Swedish OBOS Damallsvenskan side BK Häcken in the summer of 2022, will lose a winger who has been part of their recent trophy haul. Her four‑year spell contributed to the club’s multiple domestic titles, and her departure opens a roster spot for emerging talent. BK Häcken, her original Swedish club, was the source of her initial move to the English league.