Aston Villa have signed Chelsea midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois on a permanent deal for £450,000.
The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, and this transfer is a record sale for Chelsea’s women’s team. Jean-Francois did not play regularly at Chelsea, making 28 appearances, and will now hope to become an important player at Villa.
Aston Villa’s director of women’s football, Marisa Ewers, said the signing shows the club’s ambitions. She praised Jean-Francois for her strong performances for France at the European Championships and said Villa believe she will quickly improve the team.
Villa have been active in the transfer market this season. On Saturday, they also signed Arsenal defender Jenna Nighswonger on loan until the end of the season, with the option to make the move permanent.
Nighswonger, 25, was part of the USA team that won Olympic gold at Paris 2024, but she has only played 16 minutes in the Women’s Super League this season.
Villa are currently sixth in the WSL, with four wins and four draws from their first 12 matches. Ewers said the club has been watching Nighswonger for a while and believes both signings show Villa’s desire to build a strong and competitive squad.
