Brighton Women sign Maelys Mpome after one season at Women’s Super League champions Chelsea | OneFootball

Brighton have signed Maelys Mpome (pictured at Montpellier) from Chelsea (Pauline FIGUET / SPP)

Brighton have confirmed the signing of Chelsea defender Maelys Mpome on a four-year deal.

It comes just one year after Mpome joined the Blues from French side Montpellier.

Mpome found appearances limited due to strong competition in a squad that won the domestic treble.

She made her debut in a Women’s Champions League match against Real Madrid last October, but didn’t make her Women’s Super League debut until February against Everton.

The 22-year-old would go on to make four further appearances for Chelsea during the season.

She has represented France at youth level, but has not played for their senior squad as yet.

France are third favourites with betting sites to win Euro 2029, after being knocked out of the quarter-finals at Euro 2025.

Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic explains decision to sign Maelys Mpome

Brighton head coach Dario Vidosic explained the club’s decision to sign Maelys Mpome on their official website.

Vidosic said: “We’re pleased to have Maelys with us. She’s had some exposure to the WSL already and we feel she can really develop with us.

“She’s a versatile defender with a lot of good attributes and we’re looking forward to working with her.”

Who else have Brighton signed this summer?

Maelys Mapome becomes the fifth summer signing for Brighton ahead of the new Women’s Super League season.

Perhaps the biggest signing is Chiamaka Nnadozie from Paris FC, who has been nominated for the Yachine trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards for the best goalkeeper of the season.

The Seagulls have also signed talented Spaniard Carla Camacho from Real Madrid, Moeka Minami from Roma and Manuela Vanegas Catano from Real Sociedad.

Their biggest departure this summer is that of Nikita Parris, who has joined the newly promoted London City Lionesses.

When does the 2025-26 Women’s Super League season start for Brighton?

Brighton will start the 2025-26 Women’s Super League season against Aston Villa on Sunday, September 7th.

Their opening month of the season also includes games against Manchester City, West Ham and Everton.

Brighton will hope to make progress from their fifth-place finish in the 2024-25 Women’s Super League season.

This season’s WSL will be the last year before it gets expanded to 14 teams.

That means two teams from the second-tier of English football will get promoted. The side that finishes third in the second tier will face the team that finishes bottom of the WSL in a playoff.