Catarina Macario has signed a three-year deal with Chelsea, the team and the star midfielder announced Friday.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will join the club on July 1, per the team’s release. Macario posted a photo of herself in a Chelsea jersey on Instagram with a straightforward caption: “Let’s get it.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chelsea FC Women (@chelseafcw)
A post shared by Chelsea FC Women (@chelseafcw)
The deal will keep Macario with the Women’s Super League club through the summer of 2026. She has spent the last two seasons in France with Olympique Lyonnais. And after playing with some of the best in the game there, she now links up with Australian star Sam Kerr.
“I can’t wait to get started here!” Macario said in a release. “I’m really happy to sign for Chelsea and I hope to represent the jersey well over the next few years. I’m looking forward to linking up with so many good forward players such as Sam (Kerr), Lauren James and Guro (Reiten). It will be good to play with Kadeisha (Buchanan) again also.
“I’ve been fortunate to have some great experiences in Europe already with Lyon, playing with many top players and of course winning the Champions League also. I hope to carry on those experiences here and bring home the trophy for Chelsea as well!”
A staple of the U.S. women’s national team, Macario has spent the last year working her way back from an ACL tear sustained in league play with Lyon last June. Her recovery timeline lagged, and she announced in late May that she would not be ready in time for the World Cup.
The terms of the Chelsea deal were contingent on her medical clearance. According to the Chelsea release, Macario “continues to make good progress” with her rehab.
“Cat is one of the most intelligent, creative attacking players in the world who I think will blossom in this Chelsea team,” Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes said. “She brings a great deal of flair, European experience, and an unbelievable winning mentality. I think our fans will really love her.”