Nigerian-born football executive Lola Ogunbote has been appointed Head of Football Operations and Player Services at Chelsea Women, adding another milestone to her career in women’s football administration.

Ogunbote joins the London club after close to five years with Burnley Women, where she helped shape and strengthen the club’s women’s football set-up. She first joined Burnley in 2021 as its inaugural Head of Women’s Football, taking on responsibilities across recruitment, player development, performance planning and the day-to-day administration of the programme.

Her exit from Burnley came shortly after a successful campaign that saw the team win the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division and secure promotion. The club announced in June that she would depart at the end of the month, bringing her time in Lancashire to a close.

Chelsea had already begun working with Ogunbote behind the scenes earlier in the summer. In her new role, she has supported several key operational areas for the women’s first team, including arrangements for the club’s pre-season trip to Australia and New Zealand.

She has also been involved in coordinating the complex logistics around Chelsea Women’s use of different venues for domestic and European fixtures. Chelsea play their Women’s Super League home matches at Stamford Bridge, while AFC Wimbledon’s ground is used for UEFA Women’s Champions League games.

The appointment places Ogunbote in an important role as Chelsea seek to strengthen their position in the women’s game. The club finished third in the Women’s Super League last season, behind Manchester City and Arsenal, and will be aiming to return to the top of the table.

Although she was born in Nigeria, Ogunbote grew up in East London after relocating to the United Kingdom as an infant. Her work in football has extended beyond professional club administration, particularly through initiatives aimed at helping girls access leadership opportunities through sport.

She serves as an executive director of US-based organisation Goals for Girls, which uses football as a tool to promote leadership, confidence and wider opportunities for girls. In February 2026, Ogunbote supported the delivery of the organisation’s football and leadership programme in Surulere, Lagos.

The two-day initiative brought together about 300 female students from 10 schools, combining football activities with leadership training and personal-development sessions.

Ogunbote’s growing influence in football administration was recognised when she was named on the 2024 Football Black List in the administration category. She appeared alongside notable figures including Paul Elliott, Mark Esiri and Fleur Robinson.

Her move to Chelsea further strengthens Nigeria’s presence in English women’s football. Other Nigerian players connected to the Women’s Super League include Super Falcons goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor at Crystal Palace and Rofiat Imuran at Aston Villa.