15 June 2023 , 11:00
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Lionesses goalkeeper Hannah Hampton will depart Aston Villa at the expiry of her contract this summer, with WSL rivals Chelsea poised to swoop for the highly-rated 22-year-old.
Hampton, who joined Villa in 2021, made her England debut last year and was an unused substitute at Euro2022. She has been included in Sarina Wiegman’s Women’s World Cup squad as backup to Lionesses No 1 Mary Earps.
Widely regarded as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in the league, Hampton rejected a contract extension with Villa, who finished an historic fifth in the table under manager Carla Ward. The goalkeeper made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Villans.
And Villa confirmed in a statement that the England shot-stopper will depart the club this summer at the end of her contract: "Aston Villa Women can confirm Hannah Hampton will leave the club upon the expiry of her contract at the end of this month.
"Aston Villa Women sincerely thanks Hannah for her time at the club and wishes her well in her next chapter."
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The goalkeeper showed plenty of prowess throughout the season under Ward to cut her a coveted asset by rival clubs, and recent reports have linked Hampton to reigning champions Chelsea.
According to the BBC, Chelsea have held conversations with Hampton and are keen to bolster their already heady strength in depth.
Competition for the goalkeeper position at Chelsea runs fierce, with Ann-Katrin Berger, Zecira Musovic, Emily Orman and recent addition Nicky Evrard already contracted.
Should Hampton move to the Blues, it is believed she would be open to spending 2023-24 on loan elsewhere, following an assessment at Chelsea in pre-season.
Hampton was left out of the England squad following the Euro2022 triumph amid reports of poor attitude, though she was recalled in March of this year with Wiegman stating the goalkeeper had “sorted out” personal issues.
The addition of Hampton to Chelsea's ranks would represent the latest instalment of manager Emma Hayes ' succession planning as she bids to continue the team's domestic dominance.
Already the Blues have made strong headway in the transfer market having secured the high-profile signings of highly-rated USA forward Catarina Macario, 23, and German international Sjoeke Nusken, 22, while extending the contract of England international Lauren James, 21.
The addition of Japan's Maika Hamano, 19, in January served as further evidence of Chelsea's intent on building on the future.