CARLY TELFORD has timed her Chelsea career as a goalkeeper moving to the National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave.
The blues star’s move to the USA comes amid reports that Jill Scott is on the verge of a temporary Aston Villa switch.
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Telegraph Sport says the 34-year-old Scott is close to agreeing to a short-term Villain move, which will see him spend the rest of this stint with the Midlands side.
And he claims the midfielder, who has made 111 top-tier City appearances, is expected to finalize a switch in the next 24 hours.
It also thought the club, who would play the WSL Champs in a fourth-round FA Cup duel, were looking for a striker.
It is believed that Ward’s side, which have moved up to ninth in the league, are looking to cement their attacking ranks with Australia winger Emily Gilnick on Asia Cup duty.
The club has netted just five times in their last nine matches in all competitions.
Their tally includes two goals in their 2-1 win against Leicester in their hard-fought last time in the WSL.
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The 34-year-old Telford, Scott’s former Sunderland teammate, was last included in the Chelsea squad when the club went 0-0 away at Brighton.
His NWSL move would see him reunited with his old England teammate Casey Stoney.
The former Manchester United gaffer became head coach of the US club last July after the Red Devils stepped down from the top post.
Telford extended his stint with the Blues last February and took the advice of his under-16 and under-17 goalkeepers as part of his deal.
On the keeper’s departure from Chelsea, club boss Emma Hess said: “Carly has been a wonderful servant to the club in two separate spells.
“She has been a big part of the dressing room and a very important member of our squad.
‘We didn’t want to lose him, but we couldn’t stop him from taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity in the States.
“We wish Carly all the best in this next chapter of her career and she knows she will always be welcome here at any time.”
Telford began his senior career at Sunderland in 2002 before moving to Leeds United in 2007 and then transferring to Chelsea in 2011.
This move saw her join the club prior to the launch of the Women’s Super League that year.
And the Sunderland-born player captained her team to the 2012 FA Cup final, which saw Chelsea lose to Birmingham on penalties.
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Telford spent stints at Australian clubs Perth Glory and Notts County Ladies from 2012 to 2017 before returning to Kingsmeadow.
The WSL legend, who has 27 England caps, was part of the Team GB squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympic women’s football tournament last summer.
The veteran stopper received a call-up after an injury to Karen Bardsley.
