Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes added: ‘Melanie has the right qualities that we look for in players at Chelsea. She’s got international experience, been the captain of Bayern Munich and her best years are yet to come.



‘It’s a real statement of intent that she chose Chelsea and it shows just how far we’ve come as a football club.



‘Melanie is versatile, she’s got wonderful qualities in the midfield areas and she will provide much-needed depth – I’m looking forward to welcoming her to the club.’



More words from Melanie Leupolz are to follow later today…