Chelsea Ladies have signed Dutch-born attacking midfielder Jackie Groenen.

The 19-year-old arrives from German side FCR 2001 Duisburg and will bolster manager Emma Hayes’ attacking options for the new FA Women’s Super League, which gets underway in April.

Groenen was born in the Netherlands, lived all her life in Belgium but has represented Holland at youth level and is currently deciding which country to represent on the senior stage.

The midfielder, who can also operate in a wide attacking role, has already played 55 times in the German Bundesliga, scoring 14 goals in the process.

"I want to develop my game and the opportunity at Chelsea gives me the chance to live my passion and play and train with top players every day,’ she said.

"I am confident that together, the team and I will achieve our goals and I am excited to be joining the FA WSL for a new start in my young career.

"The set up at Chelsea Ladies, the club, team and the staff are the ideal fit for me and have the same high standards I expect.  I am looking forward to getting started."

Chelsea begin their season with an FA Cup fifth round tie on Sunday,  April 13, before kicking off their league campaign at Bristol Academy on Thursday, April 17, with there first home game against defending champions Liverpool three days later.

The teenager is manager Hayes’ seventh signing of a busy winter having already completed deals for English quartet Rachel Williams, Laura Bassett, Gilly Flaherty and Katie Chapman as well as Sweden’s Emma Wilhelmsson and South Korean playmaker Ji So-Yun.

Hayes said: "Jackie is a talented young player who fits our playing style. She is very technical and very composed in possession and has a lot of experience for someone so young having played in one of the top leagues in Europe in Germany.

"Jackie has impressed us and I’m sure she will be a good addition to the group."