Having won Europe's premier club competition for the second time in the club’s history thanks to Kai Havertz’s epic goal against Manchester City in the 2021 final, the time had finally come for our American fans to be reunited with the historic trophy.

First up was the Illinois State Youth Soccer Association, who we have worked with for more than five years, including throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, setting up virtual coaching education opportunities. The Champions League trophy was showcased with excitement at Compass United, following a coaching clinic with the Soccer For Success programme.

While on the tour, staff delivered coach education and presentations to coaches and educators. Special guest and former Blues striker Tore Andre Flo was present on the tour and offered participants an insight to his footballing journey and time with the club.

The next stop on the tour was Houston, Texas. The first day was delivered in conjunction with the Technical Institute (TTI) Academy at Houston Baptist University. Two coaching clinics were delivered to 52 players in the U7-U16 teams. At the end of the training session, all players were given a Chelsea Foundation medal for their hard work.

Day two in Houston was split into two sessions; the first with the younger age groups of Westbury Soccer Club, and session two with Revision Soccer Club’s U23 side. The Champions League trophy was met with a round of applause from players and parents of both Westbury and Revision. Flo was also on hand to answer questions from the group and offer advice to the players of the Revision Squad in preparation for their vital play-off game that weekend.

The penultimate tour location saw the Foundation team travel to Philadelphia. Players from Philly Blues caught sight of the famous big-eared trophy and an inner-city training session was delivered with players from Anderson Monarchs.

Classics Soccer Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania hosted a PA Classics tournament with more than 500 players. This was the same youth soccer club where current Chelsea star Christian Pulisic honed his skills.

The fourth and final destination of the tour was New York. Foundation staff delivered a free coaching session with FC Harlem at Neighbourhood Charter, a school we have engaged with for many years.

The training session was met with excitement and anticipation, with players delighted and surprised to see the Champions League trophy at the very end and Club legend Ashley Cole was also on hand to deliver a skills session to FC Harlem players to round up a successful US tour.

Ian Woodroffe, Chelsea Foundation’s international development manager, said of the tour: ‘It has been a busy but exciting schedule to visit four locations in 11 days, but it’s been fantastic to engage with so many players and fans along the way.

'Being limited to virtual engagement through the pandemic for so long has been difficult, so being able to meet and engage with the players and parents has been fantastic for us and the communities. Bringing the Champions League trophy, along with Tore and Ashley, to these events has really added value to the experience and excitement around our trip.

‘As a club, Chelsea has always demonstrated strong community ethos and this programme, supported by colleagues from the wider club, just amplifies how important the global community is.’