Beth England has confirmed her record-breaking transfer from Chelsea to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a move worth £250,000, making England the most expensive British player in the Women's Super League by eclipsing Lauren James' previously record-setting £200,000 move from Manchester United to Chelsea in 2021.
The England international has signed a three-year contract with Spurs, seeing her at the club until June 2026.
The move marks the end of England's seven-year career with the reigning champions, in which England notched 164 appearances, 74 goals, 10 trophies and the 2019-2020 Player of the Season award.
England was Chelsea’s top scorer in the 2018-2019 campaign, notching 22 goals in all competitions, before repeating that feat in the 2019-2020 season in which Chelsea claimed the Continental League Cup courtesy of England’s winning goal and were awarded the title on points per game in the Covid-curtailed season.
In a message posted to Twitter, the 28-year-old wrote a heartfelt message to the Blues faithful. It read: “To my Blues family, where do I start? It has been the biggest honour to play for this amazing club that has been my home for the past seven years.
"Every time I have stepped out onto the pitch I have given my all for Chelsea and our incredible fans. I’m so proud to have played my part in the success we have achieved over the years. I’m leaving Chelsea with 164 appearances, 74 goals, 10 trophies and countless memories that will last forever.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my time as a Blue. I’m so grateful to have friendships to last a lifetime.
“Everyone knows how much I love Chelsea, and the club will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The move comes as a major coup for Spurs, who have struggled in front of goal this season and sit eighth in the table. Rehanne Skinner’s side have managed just 11 goals in nine league games this season, with eight arriving in the thrashing of Brighton at the end of October. Spurs have not registered a league goal since.
The underwhelming start to the season and a lack of clinical edge have served as major points of frustration for Spurs, who will be hopeful that England’s prowess in the final third can shift the gear on their goal drought and fire them back into the hunt to break into the top four.
England boasts 11 goals in 21 games for the Lionesses and arrives as part of the triumphant Euro 2022 squad, though she failed to record a single minute of game time.
Indeed, this season England has struggled to insert herself into Chelsea manager Emma Hayes’ game plan and has started just two league games all season. The lack of minutes her dropped from Sarina Wiegman’s last two Lionesses squads in October and November. Her last goal arrived in September’s World Cup qualifier as part of England’s 10-0 demolition of Luxembourg.
And with the summer’s Women’s World Cup coming into view, it is understood England’s motivation for consistent game time to reinstate herself in Wiegman's squad plans has catalysed her move to north London.
Tottenham return to WSL action on 14 January with an away match to Aston Villa, while Chelsea will travel to title-chasing rivals Arsenal on 15 January.
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