Askume Sep 19 – Chelsea defender Jorja Fox has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on loan at Crystal Palace, the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions said on Thursday.
The 21-year-old signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea last month before joining Crystal Palace on loan and will return to his parent club to continue his recovery.
Fox suffered a similar ACL injury while on loan at Brighton in May 2023. The England youth international is the second Chelsea player to suffer a cruciate ligament injury this week, following midfielder Sophie Ingle .
Chelsea said in a statement: “Chelsea can confirm that defender Jorja Fox has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on loan at Crystal Palace.”
“Everyone at Chelsea wishes Jorja all the best with her recovery.”
Fox is the latest to join a list of WSL players with ACL injuries, which also includes Chelsea forward Mia Fisher and Manchester City midfielder Gill Rudd . Chelsea’s Sam Cole has been out since January with a similar injury.
The number of ACL injuries in women’s sports has increased. In December last year, European football’s governing body UEFAA panel of women’s health experts has been formed to understand the increasing incidence of ACL injuries in female athletes .
Global football players’ union FIFPRO said increased workloads, travel and lack of rest had led to a rise in the number of injuries among female professional players, including torn anterior cruciate ligaments.
Chelsea host Aston Villa in their first game of the WSL season on Friday.
