Buchanan ready for fresh challenge with Chelsea

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For Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan, deciding to leave Olympique Lyonnais, the only professional club she has ever known, was a difficult choice.

But was she happy she no longer had to speak French?

“Un petit peu, oui,” she joked. “My French is not the greatest.”

Earlier this month, the 26-year-old centre back announced she was signing with Chelsea FC after spending nearly six years with the French club.

“It was very difficult,” Buchanan said of the decision. “Being with that club, my very first club, and the accomplishments I achieved, the people I've met, the group of girls that were there – it’s definitely sad leaving them.”

Buchanan joined Lyon in 2017 after finishing her collegiate career with West Virginia University.

“I came to Lyon to grow as a player and I think I'm in a good form right now,” she said. “I think that Lyon helped me a lot, but I think it’s come to a point where it's time to take the next step time, to move on.”

The native of Brampton, Ont., enjoyed a wildly successful tenure with Lyon, capturing the league title five times, along with another five UEFA Women’s Champions League titles and three French Cups. She made more than 100 appearances for Lyon across all competitions, also recording three Champions League goals.

“I think I fulfilled all my goals in France and at Olympique Lyonnais and I think it was just time for a different change, different scenery,” she said. “I just feel that it was the right move for where I'm at now with form and mental state, physical state.”

Buchanan captured her fifth Champions League title just last month, when Lyon defeated Barcelona, the defending champions, 3-1 in the final. The Canadian played 76 minutes after coming on in the 14th minute