Ajax Sign Femke Liefting on Season-Long Loan from Chelsea
Ajax have turned to a familiar face to strengthen their goalkeeping ranks, securing Chelsea’s Femke Liefting on a season-long loan for the 2026/27 campaign.
The deal, confirmed by the Dutch club on their official channels on Monday morning, sends the 21-year-old back to the Azerion Vrouwen Eredivisie and back into an environment where she first made her name.
Back to where it all started
Liefting’s rise began at VV Alkmaar, where she broke into senior football as a teenager. A move across to neighbours AZ in 2023 accelerated her progress, her form quickly pushing her into the spotlight beyond the Netherlands.
Chelsea moved decisively. The Barclays Women’s Super League champions brought her to London in January 2025, viewing the Dutch youth international as one for the future in a fiercely competitive goalkeeping department.
England, though, has not been straightforward. Foot and hip injuries stalled her momentum, limiting her opportunities to build rhythm and consistency. A loan spell at Newcastle United last season at least offered a taste of regular action and a reminder of her potential, but not yet the sustained run she needs.
A reset in Amsterdam
Ajax now offer exactly that: minutes, responsibility, and a platform she knows well.
“Femke is a talented goalkeeper who has already proven her quality in the Vrouwen Eredivisie,” said Ajax technical manager Dolf Roks. “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.”
For Liefting, the move is about more than a change of shirt. At 21, this is a crucial stage. She needs games, not just training-ground battles. Regular starts in Amsterdam would allow her to re-establish herself domestically and keep her trajectory with the Dutch youth national teams on track.
Chelsea, meanwhile, retain the long-term asset. Liefting remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2028, a clear sign that the English champions still see a future for her in West London.
For now, though, her task is simple and demanding: reclaim her rhythm, command a penalty area in the Eredivisie once again, and prove that the promise which took her to Chelsea is ready to translate into a full senior career.
