Dragoni joins Chelsea from Barcelona on deal until 2030

Photo: Katie Chan / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Giulia Dragoni has completed a summer move from Barcelona to Chelsea, with the 19-year-old Italy international signing a contract through 2030. The midfielder is the Blues' latest addition to their women's squad.

Dragoni grew up in Milan and began playing football around the age of four, initially with her brother and father. She joined her first grassroots team, Scarioni, at five years old, playing alongside boys before transitioning to girls' football at around 13.

"I started because of my brother, but I think my dad was the one who pushed me to be the player I am," Dragoni said. "I was training with him more and more, even when the team was having a rest day."

The midfielder cited her 2023 World Cup call-up with the Italian national team as the highlight of her career to date. She named Marta, Alexia Putellas, and Aitana Bonmati as her three favourite players of all time.

Dragoni previously lived independently in Rome, where she developed her cooking alongside her football. She described herself as someone who "always wants more" from herself both on and off the pitch.