Chelsea's teenage winger Eva Hendle has joined Scottish Women's Premier League club Rangers on loan for the 2026/2027 season. The 18-year-old will spend six months at Ibrox, developing her skills in the competitive Scottish league.
Hendle, who joined Chelsea's academy six years ago, has represented England at various youth levels up to and including Under-20 level. Despite yet to make a competitive appearance for The Blues at first-team level, she has featured in pre-season games.
The loan move comes after Hendle signed her first professional contract with Chelsea. She has committed to a two-year deal with the South West Londoners.
The 18-year-old winger expressed her excitement about joining Rangers in a statement to the club's official media team. "I am really excited; it is a huge club with a great history, and I am buzzing to be a part of it," Hendle said. "I was shocked; it happened quite quickly. I had a call with Donald [Gillies] and Leanne [Crichton], and it was all really positive, and I just had a good gut feeling about it, and I went with it, and it has been good so far."
Chelsea announced the news of Hendle's loan move via a post on their official club website earlier today. The club's statement provided little further information on the agreement, but it is clear that Hendle will be an important addition to Rangers' squad.
Hendle's loan move is a significant development for both Chelsea and Rangers. The Blues will continue to nurture her talents, while the Scottish club will benefit from her experience and skillset.
Rangers will now look to integrate Hendle into their squad ahead of the 2026/2027 season. The club's management will likely assess her performance over the six-month period, deciding whether to extend her loan or make a permanent signing.
Source: Yahoo Sports