Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has joined Chelsea from Birmingham, signing a deal until May 2022.

Berger is the club’s first signing of 2019, after the 28-year-old turned down a new deal with the Blues last week.

The shot-stopper was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in November 2017 and underwent surgery.

Since her return, she has arguably played the best football of her career and Berger feels now is the time to make the move to “a big club.”

She told Chelsea’s official website: “I’m excited. It’s something new, I’m looking forward to playing with one of the best clubs in the world right now.

“First of all, I really like the league. Chelsea is one of the best so far since I’ve been in England and I think now is the right time to come and play for a big club. Chelsea felt like the right choice.”

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes hailed the signing and her “experience” and “pedigree,” saying: “For the last two seasons Ann-Katrin has been the best goalkeeper in the league and having played both in Germany and France, she’s developed the experience which makes her ready for Chelsea.

“She has the experience, pedigree and certainly the mentality to come in here and succeed and add to the glut of quality goalkeepers we have here. I look forward to seeing her in training with this group.

“It is critical when you come to Chelsea that you have the experience to compete from day one. We’ve got quality goalkeepers in place and she will add to that. She has the discipline, desire and ambition to kick on with her career and Chelsea is the perfect place for her to achieve those ambitions.”

Berger has kept nine clean sheets for Birmingham in all competitions this season, helping the club to fourth place in the Women’s Super League, level on points with her new club.

She was named in the WSL PFA team of the year last year.