Former England star Anita Asante has left Chelsea after her contract expired. 

The 35 year-old has been at the Women’s Super League club since 2018 and made 35 appearances.

But the defensive midfielder has not played much this season because she tore her quadricep in October. 

Manager Emma Hayes told the club: "I'm full of pride about the person she is.

"The contribution she's made in her playing career to date has been exceptional. 

“She's always around winning. She holds everybody to the highest standards, but also demonstrates them herself.”

Asante has used her voice to speak out about racism in the sport and was part of the club’s ‘Say No To Anti-Semitism’ campaign.

She is now the third player to leave the club, as Deanna Cooper departed and Adelina Engman joined Montpellier. 

The Blues won the 2019/20 WSL season on a points-per-game ratio, after it was brought to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.