England goalkeeper Carly Telford moves to Chelsea Ladies on short-term deal

Chelsea Ladies have completed the signing of England goalkeeper Carly Telford on a short-term deal.

The 29-year-old was without a club following the liquidation of Notts County Ladies and has been brought in due to injuries to Hedvig Lindahl and Becky Spencer.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to join Chelsea on a short-term deal for the Spring Series," said Telford, who previously played for the Blues between 2011 and 2013.

"Chelsea is a club I love and the changes since I left have been very exciting. I am returning to a club looking to win trophies.

"The main thing Emma said to me was that I am coming to a club with a winning mentality and the aim is to win the Spring Series.

"Emma wants to win, the players want to win and the club expects success - it is an exciting new chapter for me."

Hayes added: "With the injury to Hedvig and Becky recovering from surgery, the opportunity to bring an experienced goalkeeper like Carly in for the Spring Series made perfect sense.

"She is a player I know well and there is no doubting her quality. What she will add to the team both on and off the pitch is huge."

Telford joined County ahead of the 2014 FA WSL season, helping them to the Women's FA Cup final the following year where the Lady Pies were beaten by her former club Chelsea.

The 29-year-old was part of the England squad that won bronze at the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada and was last month named in Mark Sampson's squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands this summer.

Telford is available for Wednesday's game at Reading where she could line up against former County team-mates Jade Moore, Jo Potter and Kirsty Linnett, who joined the Royals on Monday.