Ajax Signs Femke Liefting on Loan from Chelsea
Ajax have moved to strengthen their goalkeeping department with the loan signing of Chelsea’s Femke Liefting for the 2026/27 campaign, handing the young Dutch stopper a timely route back to regular football.
The deal, confirmed by Ajax on their official channels on Friday morning, sends the 21-year-old back to familiar territory in the Azerion Vrouwen Eredivisie after an injury-disrupted spell in England.
A talent returns to familiar ground
For Liefting, this move is less a step back than a reset. She grew up in this league. She made her name here.
The goalkeeper broke through at VV Alkmaar before crossing to neighbours AZ in 2023, quickly emerging as one of the most promising young keepers in the Dutch game. Her sharp reflexes and calm presence under pressure soon drew interest from abroad, and in January 2025 she secured a high-profile switch to Barclays Women’s Super League champions Chelsea.
That transfer was meant to be the launchpad. Instead, injuries intervened.
Foot and hip problems stalled her progress in London, limiting her opportunities to challenge for a regular place. She did, however, manage to put some minutes together during a loan spell at Newcastle United last season, a stint that at least kept her competitive edge alive.
Ajax’s bet on potential and pedigree
Ajax have now stepped in with a solution that suits all parties. They get a goalkeeper who already knows the rhythm and demands of the Vrouwen Eredivisie. She gets a platform to rebuild.
“Femke is a talented goalkeeper who has already proven her quality in the Vrouwen Eredivisie. She also gained valuable experience at the highest level during her time at Chelsea, where she continued to develop. We are delighted that she will add experience and quality to our squad for the coming season,” said Ajax technical manager Dolf Roks.
The message is clear: this is not a speculative punt. Ajax see a keeper with a solid domestic track record, international youth experience and a grounding at one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Game time the priority
For Liefting, the equation is simple now. She needs minutes. After 18 months in England that never quite caught fire, the Dutch youth international must re-establish rhythm, sharpness and confidence through consistent game time.
The Eredivisie offers exactly that opportunity. Ajax, competing on multiple fronts and intent on pushing for honours, require depth and reliability in goal. Liefting, still under contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2028, must prove she can be that presence week in, week out.
If she does, this loan will not just revive a promising career. It will pose a bigger question for Chelsea in a couple of years’ time: is she the long-term answer in London, or the one that got away?
