Chelsea Football Club Women have appointed British-Nigerian football administrator, Lola Ogunbote as their new Head of Football Operations.

Ogunbote, who made history in 2021 as Burnley Football Club’s first-ever Head of Women’s Football, joins the Women’s Super League champions after five successful years at Burnley where she oversaw the club’s historic promotion to WSL2.

Born in Nigeria and raised in London from the age of two, Lola transitioned from a successful legal career as a UK-qualified barrister and a role at Goldman Sachs to pursue her passion for football in 2016. She has since built an impressive career across continents, working in England, Mozambique, Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and China.

She is also the Executive Director of Goals for Girls, a US-based non-profit that uses football to empower girls and teach leadership and life skills.

At Burnley, Ogunbote was credited with shaping and executing the club’s women’s football strategy and advancing the growth of the women’s game in the North West of England.

Her appointment at Chelsea Women is being celebrated as a major milestone for Nigerian representation in elite women’s football management.

In her new role, she will oversee the day-to-day football operations of Chelsea Women and support the club’s long-term sporting strategy.

Chelsea Women are currently one of the most dominant sides in English women’s football, having won multiple WSL titles in recent seasons.