Reanna Lauren Blades (born 2 October 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. She previously played for Chelsea, Lewes, and the England under-19 team.

Reanna Blades
Blades playing for Lewes in 2023
Personal information
Full name Reanna Lauren Blades[1]
Date of birth (2005-10-02) 2 October 2005 (age 18)
Place of birth Croydon, Surrey, England[2]
Height 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, winger
Youth career
Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 Chelsea 0 (0)
2023–2024Lewes (loan) 20 (2)
International career
2021 England U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 November 2021

Club career

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Prior to joining Chelsea's acaemy at under-14 level, she spent a season with Brighton's Regional Talent Club.[3] At under-21 academy level, Blades featured in 23 matches, scoring 15 goals.[4]

On 1 August 2021, in a friendly match prior to the 2021–22 season, Blades scored her debut senior goal for Chelsea, an equalising goal in a 2–1 defeat to Arsenal.[5] On 13 October 2022, Blades signed for first professional contract with Women's Super League club Chelsea at the age of 18.[3][6]

On 19 March 2023, she made her competitive debut for Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final match against Reading, as a second-half substitute.[7] On 23 April 2023 Blades scored the third goal in a 3–1 victory over Manchester United in the WSL Academy League Cup Final.[8]

On 19 July 2023, Blades joined Women's Championship club Lewes on loan for the 2023–24 season.[9][10]

On 30 June 2024, she left Chelsea after the end of her contract.[11]

International career

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Blades has represented England at under-16, under-17, and under-19 youth levels.[3][12]

Personal life

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In 2020, Blades backed The Telegraph's "Keep Kids Active in Lockdown" campaign. At age 16 she coached children for United Synergy FC in Croydon.[12] In July 2023, alongside Lioness Fara Williams, Blades joined lingerie company Bluebella's campaign in support of women's sports.[13]

Honours

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Chelsea

References

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  1. ^ a b Reanna Blades at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Reanna Blades Profile". Chelsea FC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Academy graduate Reanna Blades signs first professional contract". Chelsea FC. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Chelsea FC Women Academy". The FA. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Chelsea Women back in action in first game of Arsenal double-header". Chelsea FC. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  6. ^ Charpentier, Caden (18 October 2022). "Youth revolution continues: Who is Chelsea's Reanna Blades?". The Pride of London. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  7. ^ Frith, Wilf (1 July 2024). "Alsu Abdullina and Reanna Blades leave Chelsea Women". She Kicks. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  8. ^ Rowe-Willcock, Helen (23 April 2023). "United Women U21s lose to Chelsea in Cup Final". Manchester United FC. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Reanna Blades joins on-loan – Lewes Community Football Club". Lewes FC. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  10. ^ Towers, Jack (27 July 2023). "Chelsea, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace trio join Lewes". Sussex World. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Chelsea Academy graduate Reanna Blades set for new challenge". Chelsea FC. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  12. ^ a b McGrath, Mike (23 November 2020). "'They should be allowed to play' - Chelsea's Reanna Blades on coaching, England ambitions and keeping kids active". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  13. ^ Richardson, Faith (30 July 2023). "The Lionesses' lingerie campaign aims to help keep teenage girls in sport". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
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