With a relentless desire to win, impeccable professionalism and mentality, Eriksson has been a leader on the pitch having been handed the captain’s armband before the 2019/20 season, in place of the departing Karen Carney.

Our Swedish skipper will continue to represent the Blues for our final two league matches of the season against Arsenal and Reading as we challenge for the WSL title, before saying an emotional goodbye to the club she has called home since July 2017.

Having spent just shy of six years in blue, the 29-year-old defender has made 183appearances and cemented herself as one of the greats to have pulled on the shirt. Eriksson has been an ever-present figure in our defence, contributing 11goals for the club and helping us to 11 trophies along the way.

With four WSL titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and an FA Women’s Community Shield to her name, she has become a fan favourite and has been a key contributor to the success we have enjoyed during her time at the club.

On Magda’s departure, manager Emma Hayes said: ‘There are not enough words to describe the impact Magda has had, not just on this football club but on me. She has been a wonderful leader, someone who has helped drive the team and it’s standards to the levels that we’re at.

'Chelsea will always be her club, it will always be her home. She will forever remain a legend of this football club. She goes with my blessing and I wish her the best for her future.’

Eriksson joined Chelsea from Linkopings in her native Sweden ahead of the 2017/18 season. She made the perfect start to life in blue, scoring on her debut against Bristol City and becoming a regular in the starting line-up in her first season, where she helped bring the WSL title back to the club.

During the 2018/19 campaign, Eriksson played a key role in our impressive defensive record that year. She started 34 times in all competitions, more than any other player, as we reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second straight season.

Having been awarded the captaincy at the start of the 2019/20 season, Eriksson’s first game with the armband came against Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in front of almost 25,000 fans. Covid heavily disrupted the campaign, but we emerged with a WSL and League Cup double.

Further silverware followed during the 2020/21 campaign with another WSL and League Cup double, while we reached our first-ever Champions League final. Eriksson made her 100th Blues appearance that season and earned a place in the PFA Women’s Team of the Year for the second year running.

While it was another successful season on the trophy front, a lengthy injury absence at the start of 2022 was frustrating for the Swede, but she continued to be an important presence off the pitch. She returned to win her second FA Cup against Arsenal, the first of two FA Cup triumphs that year.

This year, Eriksson led us to the League Cup final in March before lifting our third consecutive FA Cup at Wembley last Sunday. We reached the Champions League semi-finals and continue our challenge for the WSL title with two games remaining before the season draws to a close.

Everyone at Chelsea thanks Magda for the incredible service she has given to the club and wishes her every success for the next stage of her career. We hope you will join us in giving Magda a proper Kingsmeadow send off at our final home league fixture against Arsenal on Sunday.