Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson and attacking midfielder Pernille Harder are set to leave the club at the end of the season.
The duo have been the subject of intense transfer speculation with both out of contract at the end of this season. Recent reports from Germany claimed the duo had signed contracts with Frauen-Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, despite significant interest from Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain and Angel City.
And on Thursday morning, Eriksson announced her imminent departure from Chelsea after six trophy-laden campaign with Emma Hayes' side. Hours later, Harder followed suit with her own announcement to mark the end of her three-year tenure.
“It’s really difficult to talk about it or even say it out loud. It feels kind of surreal,” Eriksson said on Thursday.
“The news that I have for the fans and the world is that I will be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season. It’s been an unbelievable time, the best time of my life.
“It has been six unbelievable years, together with my teammates, together with the fans, the club in general. And I feel so privileged to have been on this journey with the club. We’ve really established as ourselves as one of the best clubs in the world and it’s been such an amazing journey.
“So I feel, I’m not only sad, though it might look like it, but I’m also really really happy and just proud of the whole journey and everything we’ve been through together. It’s mixed emotions for sure.”
Harder then took to social media shortly after, writing: "To every Chelsea fan around the world. It's been a dream coming true playing for this amazing club and I've loved every single moment along the way. Thanks for your unbelievable support throughout the years. It's been an amazing journey. So much love, Pernille".
Despite rumours linking the pair to Germany, neither confirmed their next destination in their statements. Alexander Straus' side are currently top of the Frauen-Bundesliga, with England midfielder Georgia Stanway among the plethora of stars in their arsenal.
Having made 183 appearances for Chelsea to date since her arrival to Kingsmeadow in 2017, Eriksson will depart southwest London as a club legend. Despite the arrival of Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan last summer, the centre back has remained an integral part of Emma Hayes' side this term, turning in impressive displays against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League and lifting the club's third successive FA Cup trophy last weekend.
During her Chelsea tenure, the Swedish international has also claimed four Women's Super League titles, four FA cups and two Continental Cups, as well as captaining the Blues a first ever Champions League Final in 2021.
Reflecting on Eriksson's Chelsea exit, manager Emma Hayes said: "She has been a wonderful leader, someone who has helped drive the team and it’s standards to the levels that we’re at.
"Chelsea will always be her club, it will always be her home. She will forever remain a legend of this football club. She goes with my blessing and I wish her the best for her future.”
Harder's return from injury in the final throes of Chelsea's season has served a huge boost in the team's domestic double ambitions. Harder has notched nine goal contributions in her last four appearances, including the assist for Sam Kerr's game-winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The triumph marked the latest piece of silverware for the 30-year-old to add to a teeming collection, which includes successive league and FA Cup titles. Across her 79 appearances for the club, Harder has notched 44 goals to date.
On Pernille’s departure, Hayes said: "Pernille is one of the best attacking players in the world and you see all of them qualities day in, day out. She has always been so driven to succeed, to get to the top and to help the team win trophies.
"Although she’s been missed with injury this season, we’ve seen especially in the last few games what qualities she has. I want to place on record my thanks for her brilliant contributions to the team’s success the past few years and I wish her the best for the future."
Eriksson and Harder will likely represent Chelsea their final two games of the campaign, with the Blues set to face Arsenal and Reading as their quest for a domestic double continues.
