The 26-year-old is reunited with Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor following their time together at Lyon.

Bompastor scouted Malard while working at Lyon's academy and later handed her senior minutes, including a substitute appearance in their 2020 Champions League final victory over Wolfsburg.

"I'm so happy because I have a plan for my life and my career, and Chelsea were a part of that plan," said Malard.

"It is a great club - a big club - so I am very excited to get started.

"I have played against Chelsea a lot of times and have always lost, so I know the team have good players.

"I have known Sonia since I was 14, so it is great to work with her again. My objective is to become better every single day and to win trophies."

Malard joined United in 2023, initially on loan, and helped them win a first major trophy in the Women's FA Cup that season.

She becomes Chelsea's third signing of the summer after the versatile Katie McCabe and midfielder Manaka Matsukubo.

Malard is an important addition to Bompastor's attacking options after Australia captain Sam Kerr left to join American club Gotham FC.

United hoped to keep Malard by offering her a new deal, but she informed the club early in the summer that she wanted to leave.

United agreed a fee with Chelsea rather than risk losing her on a free transfer deal next summer and will look to use the money to bring in young talent.

Sources at United say it is a club record sale for a women's player.

With 19 goal involvements in all competitions last season, Malard was statistically United's most productive attacker.

In the Women's Champions League, Malard has scored 17 goals in 46 games and has won the competition four times.

She is a regular for France and has scored 14 goals in 41 appearances, featuring at Euro 2022 and Euro 2025.