WSL champs Chelsea sign PSV Eindhoven star Aniek Nouwen as Hayes strengthens defensive ranks
ANIEK NOUWEN has become Chelsea’s newest addition with Emma Hayes looking to boost her defensive options ahead of the 2021-22 season.
The PSV Eindhoven star sealed a three-year pre-contract deal with the four-time WSL champions which will keep her at the club until the summer of 2024.
Nouwen, 22, who has 14 Netherlands Women’s international caps, made her professional debut for PSV in 2016.
And the highly-rated defender has made more than 100 appearances for the Women’s Eredivisie giants netting 15 goals.
Blues boss Hayes reckons Nouwen’s physical strength on the ball will make her well-suited to battling Chelsea’s rivals in the WSL next term.
Hayes, 44, said: “Not only does Aniek bring a wealth of league and international experience for her age, but she is also very composed on the ball and her physicality will certainly suit the English league.
‘I have no doubt she is one of the best young defenders in the world and has a very bright future ahead of her with us.
“We cannot wait to welcome her to Cobham this summer. She really is an exciting addition to our squad.”
Nouwen added: “To play in the English league has always been a dream for me as it is the best competition and it provides the best opportunity for me to develop even more.
“There were other clubs who were interested, but I made my decision to join Chelsea pretty quickly.
“I’m very honoured and proud to become a Blue and I can’t wait to be a part of this winning team. I want to win prizes and play in the big games.
“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team, it’s all going to be very new but I’m really excited.”
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Chelsea, who will push for a fifth WSL title next term, are going head-to-head with Barcelona in their first-ever Champions League final on May 16.
Meanwhile, Nouwen and her PSV team-mates are battling for the top spot in the Eredivisie play-offs.
And PSV are due to take on Den Haag for the Dutch Women’s FA Cup in June after beating Ajax 1-0 in the semi-finals.
Nouwen, who made her senior Netherlands debut against Poland in 2019, has become a key member of Sarina Wiegman’s squad making 14 international appearances.
The versatile defender was part of her country’s youth sides at the 2018 and 2017 Women’s Under-19 World Championships reaching the contest’s semi-final stages in 2017.
Nouwen, who plays for the senior team alongside WSL stars including Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk, netted her first international goal against Estonia.
And that 7-0 win against the European minnows – ranked the 106th best team in the world – helped the Netherlands reach the Women’s 2022 Euros.
The PSV star is also hoping to represent her country at the Tokyo Olympics in Japan this year.
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