Chelsea Women sign Dutch international Wieke Kaptein | OneFootball

Netherlands’ Wieke Kaptein (19) during the World Cup. (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea have signed Netherlands international midfielder Wieke Kaptein from FC Twente, with the 18-year-old returning to the Dutch club on loan for this season.

Kaptein, who has signed a four-year contract with the Blues, became the youngest Dutch player to be called up for a World Cup at the finals this summer.

She made her senior club debut aged 15 in the Champions League, her 63 appearances for Twente include helping them win the Eredivisie title, while she also won the ‘Women’s Eredivisie Talent of the Year’ award.

She told chelseafc.com: “It’s a really big club and I’m very honoured to be here. I’m looking forward to playing football for Chelsea. I can’t wait to meet the players and fans, but I am happy I can develop myself one more year in the Eredivisie.”

Manager Emma Hayes commented: “Wieke is a top young midfield player. She has brilliant energy in the middle of the park, but she’s also a player who can play between both boxes really well. She likes to get forward, she’s tenacious and her style of play will suit the WSL. She needs to go and keep developing and we look forward to her in the future.”

Busy midweek in the FA Women’s National League