PERNILLE HARDER and Magdalena Eriksson have called time on their trophy-laden Chelsea spells.
Eriksson, 29, announced her exit in a filmed goodbye message with the Blues skipper leaving at the end of this term after a six-years at the club.
The centre-back, who has made 183 Blues appearances, will leave as a free agent along with Harder with their contracts expiring this summer.
The duo, have been a key part of Emma Hayes side, have have been linked with Bayern Munich according to reports in Sweden.
Eriksson, who has been Chelsea skipper since 2019, said: “It’s with a heavy heart and so many emotions I announce that my journey as a Blue will come to an end.
“I see myself as extremely privileged to have played a part in this great club’s history.
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“When I signed for the club the ambitions were clear, Emma’s openness with that really resonated with my own ambitions.
“I quickly realised it wasn’t just all talk either. Winning was at the heart of everything we did, and that competitiveness was contagious.
“I’d like to thank the club, Emma and Paul (Green) for believing in me and supporting me from the moment I signed six seasons ago.”
Blues chief Hayes added: “There are not enough words to describe the impact Magda has had, not just on this football club but on me.
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“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.”
Eriksson, who switched from Swedish side Linkopings in 2017, has helped Chelsea win 11 trophies including four league titles.
She and Harder are set to play their last two games in Blues shirts when Hayes’ side face Arsenal on Sunday and Reading next weekend.
The duo could see their side secure a third successive domestic double should they win on Sunday and Manchester United lose or draw against Man City.
Eriksson added: “I’d like to thank my team-mates, current and old ones. You are a bunch of winners, a great group of people who truly knows what it takes.
“My biggest thank you goes to the unbelievable Chelsea fans.
“I felt your power on my debut game at Kingsmeadow and you’ve kept growing in numbers and strength ever since.”
Harder, 30, announced her plans to leave Chelsea hours after the club published an open farewell letter from Eriksson.
The Denmark captain was formerly the world’s most expensive female footballer when she joined from Wolfsburg in 2020 for a record £250,000 fee.
Since then she has scored 44 times in 79 Blues appearances winning two league crowns, three FA Cups and a Conti Cup.
Harder tweeted: “It’s been a dream coming true playing for this amazing club and I’ve loved every single moment along the way.”
Hayes added: “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.
“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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
