With Chelsea beginning the defence of their Women’s Super League title against Tottenham Hotspur in 13 days, we profile our Czech midfielder Katerina Svitkova, who is no stranger to life in the WSL.

Player Profile

Name: Katerina Svitkova

National Team: Czech Republic

Place of Birth: Plzen, Czech Republic

Position: Midfielder

DOB: 20 March, 1996 (age 27)

Height: 1.66m (5 ft 6 in)

Chelsea career

After two seasons at West Ham United, in which Svitkova made 34 appearances and scored five goals, the Czech international arrived at Chelsea ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

It was a difficult debut season in blue as injury restricted Svitkova to five appearances in all competitions. She did, however, score her first goal for the club in the 8-0 victory over Vllaznia in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in October.

Svitkova began her career with Slavia Prague and struck a hugely impressive 188 goals in 177 appearances. She was the top scorer in the Czech First Division in 2016/17 and 2017/18 and has been named Czech Footballer of the Year an impressive four times.

International career

On the international stage, Svitkova made her senior debut for the Czech Republic at just 17 years old. The attacking midfielder has registered more than 20 goals for her national side since and featured for her country on 48 occasions.

Click here to secure your seats for the Blues opening WSL fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 1 October, with kick-off at 5.30pm (UK time).