Alyssa Thompson’s Record-Breaking Jump to Chelsea
From dominating boys in MLS NEXT to rewriting NWSL history books, Alyssa Thompson just convinced Chelsea to break their transfer record for a 20-year-old who turns impossible into inevitable.
TL;DR:
From outrunning boys at school to outpacing defenders in the Women’s Super League, Alyssa Thompson has always been fast. Really fast. Her career is moving just as fast.
The 20-year-old American just made her biggest sprint yet—straight into Chelsea’s record books with a transfer worth just under £1 million.
Racing Against Time and Boys
Thompson’s story starts with speed. At school in Los Angeles, she wasn’t just fast for a girl—she was fast, period. Her 11.69-second 100-meter time at the California state championships proved it. But instead of sticking to track, she chose soccer and brought that same blazing pace to the pitch.
At Total Futbol Academy, Thompson didn’t play it safe. While other girls her age faced similar competition, she jumped into games with under-19 boys in the MLS NEXT league. It wasn’t about proving a point—it was about getting better. And it worked.
Thompson’s willingness to play up age groups and against stronger competition built the mental toughness that now makes her fearless on the world stage.
From High School to History Maker
Angel City FC saw something special and paid big to get it. They shelled out $450,000 to Portland Thorns and Gotham FC just for the right to pick Thompson first in the 2023 NWSL draft—while she was still in high school. That move made her the league’s most expensive player at the time, breaking Alex Morgan’s record.
Thompson didn’t waste time proving them right. Just 11 minutes into her professional debut, she found the back of the net. By season’s end, she’d become the youngest player ever to hit 10 goals and 10 assists in NWSL history.
The records kept falling. When her sister Gisele joined Angel City’s starting lineup, they became the first siblings to start together in NWSL history. Both sisters also earned spots on the U.S. Women’s National Team, with Alyssa helping win Olympic gold in 2024 under former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes.
Chelsea Comes Calling
Angel City knew they had gold on their hands. They locked Thompson down with a contract extension through 2028 in January—a smart move that forced Chelsea to pay top dollar this summer.
“Chelsea is such an amazing club, one of the best in the world,” Thompson said after signing her five-year deal. “Being able to play with players that are the best in the world is an amazing opportunity at such a young age.”
The transfer fee—just under £1 million—smashed Chelsea’s previous record of £900,000 for USA defender Naomi Girma.
It also broke Angel City’s outgoing transfer record, showing how much both clubs value Thompson’s potential.
The five-year contract length signals this isn’t just about immediate impact—Chelsea sees Thompson as a cornerstone player for years to come.
Perfect Timing
Thompson’s arrival couldn’t be better timed. With striker Mayra Ramirez out until January with a hamstring injury and Lauren James missing the season opener against Manchester City, Chelsea needs attacking firepower. Thompson has already scored six goals in 16 NWSL games this season, plus three goals in 22 appearances for the U.S. national team.
At 20, Thompson brings that rare mix of proven performance and untapped potential. She’s already an Olympic champion and record-breaker, but she’s still learning her craft. The Women’s Super League—widely considered the world’s best women’s league—will test her against the planet’s top defenders week after week.
Thompson’s track record of rising to meet bigger challenges suggests the step up to the WSL will only accelerate her development.
From beating boys at Total Futbol Academy to breaking transfer records at Chelsea, Thompson has never taken the easy path. Her speed opened doors, but her fearless attitude kept them open. Now, as she prepares to face Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, one thing is clear: the girl who always ran toward bigger challenges has found her biggest one yet.
Written By: Beau Bridges
Beau is the founder of SoccerNovo, dedicated to helping players and parents navigate the youth soccer landscape. As a former youth coach and soccer parent, he shares insights on player development, recruiting, and the ever-evolving soccer scene in the U.S.
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