After a slight lull in new faces to the Albion squad this offseason, that calm was shattered by a bombshell this afternoon as news broke that Jelena Cankovic has joined the club from Chelsea.

Press release courtesy of BHAFC:

We are delighted to announce the signing of Jelena Cankovic from Chelsea, subject to the usual regulatory processes.

Women’s first team head coach Dario Vidosic said, “We’re delighted to bring a player of Jelena’s pedigree and experience to the club.

“She has already achieved so much in her career but is ready for a new chapter and excited by this challenge. Her experience and knowledge will be important in helping our squad grow and I am looking forward to working with her.”

The attacking midfielder joins us after two successful seasons with Chelsea, whom she helped win back-to-back WSL titles. Across her time at Chelsea Jelena made 38 appearances in all competitions including the Champions League.

Jelena started her professional career in 2013 and won titles at her first three clubs: Serbia’s Spartak Subotica, Barcelona, and Ferencvaros in Hungary.

She then moved to Swedish club Vaxjo and helped them win promotion to the topflight in 2017. Jelena broke the record for the highest transfer fee between Swedish clubs when she transferred to Malmo-based Rosengard and played Champions League football for them before heading to England.

She made her Serbian debut in 2013 and has won more than 50 international caps.

Another high quality signing for Brighton and another serial winner to boot. We needed a naturally left-footed player to give us that extra dimension and provide goal contributions from midfield and it looks like Cankovic has been brought in to do just that. Roll on Everton!