Oriane Jean-François #6 of France and Jule Brand #22 of Germany contest for possession in the second half of the Women's Nations League Semi-Final first leg match between Germany and France on October 24, 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germanyplaceholder image
Oriane Jean-François #6 of France and Jule Brand #22 of Germany contest for possession in the second half of the Women's Nations League Semi-Final first leg match between Germany and France on October 24, 2025 in Dusseldorf, Germany | Getty Images
Chelsea’s Women’s Super League side have completed a club-record sale with a midfielder heading to Aston Villa
Chelsea’s Women’s Super League side have sold midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois to rivals Aston Villa in what is a club-record sale for the women’s side at Stamford Bridge.
The move is also a club-record purchase for Aston Villa’s WSL outfit and sees Jean-Francois leave Chelsea after 18 months at the club. She joined the Blues in July 2024 after two years with Paris Saint-Germain.
She made her Chelsea debut at Stamford Bridge in a 3-2 win over Real Madrid as she came off the bench in that game. She started her first game as Chelsea beat FC Twente and scored her first goal for the club at Stamford Bridge, as the Blues won the return leg of that tie 6-0.
Chelsea won a domestic treble last season, with Jean-Francois making a total of 22 appearances, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
A club statement read: “The French-Guiana-born player now makes the move to Aston Villa, where she will continue to play in the Women's Super League.
“Everyone at Chelsea would like to wish Oriane the very best for the future as she begins a new chapter in her career.”
Speaking about her move to Villa, Jean-Francois said: “I’m very, very happy to be here and I can’t wait to get start.
“Why Aston Villa? I’d say because I was looking for an ambitious project and that’s what I felt when I spoke with the team. I was very convinced about the project so that’s why I’m here.
“When I was still with Chelsea and played against Aston Villa, I saw a very good team that plays good football. So, I knew here I could fit into the team and find a way to play football like I like it. I think we have big, big things to do together.”
She added: “My ambition is to play on the European stage, and I think that is what we’re going to try and get. I’m here to help, to keep learning and to keep improving and I hope I can help the team in the best way.
“I’m still young and a player who has things to learn and who has room for improvement.”
Chelsea are second in the WSL, six points behind leaders Manchester City after 12 games. Villa sit 11 points behind them but have looked to strengthen with the record signing of Jean-Francois. The deal is worth £450,000.
Chelsea once held the world record for most expensive women’s player after signing defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave in January 2025. However, in the summer, Arsenal completed a world-record deal to sign Liverpool forward Olivia Smith for £1m.
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