Chelsea goalkeeper Femke Liefting has joined Ajax on loan for the entire 2026/27 season.
The 21-year-old returns to the Netherlands as she looks to secure regular minutes and rebuild momentum after two injury-disrupted campaigns.
Liefting joined Chelsea from AZ Alkmaar in January 2025 on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
However, she suffered a foot injury shortly after arriving and did not make a competitive appearance during her first months with the Blues.
The Netherlands youth international then joined Newcastle United on loan ahead of last season.
She started seven matches for the Women’s Super League 2 club before a hip injury suffered in November ruled her out for the remainder of the campaign.
Chelsea’s official announcement confirmed that Liefting will spend the new season with Ajax, allowing her to continue her development in familiar surroundings.
Ajax move gives Liefting fresh opportunity
Liefting already had considerable senior experience before arriving in London.
She made more than 50 appearances in the Dutch league and received two senior Netherlands call-ups after representing her country at under-17, under-19 and under-20 level.
Ajax have confirmed the agreement is a season-long loan and will add Liefting to their goalkeeping options for the coming campaign.
Chelsea will hope regular football helps the goalkeeper move beyond the injury problems that have slowed her progress.
As Read Chelsea recently reported, the club are also assessing another temporary move for Gabriel Slonina as they manage the development of their younger goalkeepers.
Liefting remains under contract at Chelsea until 2028. A productive season with Ajax could put her back in contention for a future role in the Blues’ goalkeeping department.
