Few footballers pack as much into their early 20s as Ellie Carpenter. The Australian right-back has gone from teenage Matildas debutant to Olympian, Lyon champion, and now Chelsea defender — all while navigating a very public romance with Dutch star Danielle van de Donk.

Full name: Ellie Madison Carpenter ·
Date of birth: 28 April 2000 ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Position: Right-back ·
Current club: Chelsea (Women’s Super League) ·
Olympic appearances: 3 (2020, 2024, 2028)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 28 April 2000: Born in Cowra, Australia (Wikipedia)
  • 1 July 2025: Joined Chelsea from Lyon (7NEWS)
4What’s next
  • Play for Chelsea under Sonia Bompastor in WSL (PinkNews)
  • Continues with Matildas for upcoming international tournaments (PinkNews)

Seven biographical points, one pattern: every key milestone is tracked but earnings remain opaque.

Label Value
Full name Ellie Madison Carpenter
Date of birth 28 April 2000
Place of birth Cowra, New South Wales, Australia
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position Right-back
Current club Chelsea (since 1 July 2025)
National team Australia (Matildas)

Are Ellie Carpenter and Danielle van de Donk together?

Yes, and they’re married. The pair have been in a relationship since at least 2021 and tied the knot in June 2025. Let’s unpack the timeline.

When did their relationship become public?

  • They met when van de Donk joined Lyon in 2021 (7NEWS (Australian news outlet)).
  • Engagement announced on New Year’s Day 2024 (Wikipedia (general encyclopedia)).
  • Wedding took place in June 2025 at Château Hermitage de Combas in France (Wikipedia; PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet)).

What do we know about Danielle van de Donk?

  • Dutch midfielder who plays for London City Lionesses and the Netherlands national team (PinkNews).
  • Signed with London City Lionesses after the wedding (7NEWS).
Bottom line: The couple is married and now both based in London, with van de Donk playing in the same league as Carpenter’s Chelsea.

How much does Ellie Carpenter earn?

Her salary is not public, but context from the Women’s Super League gives a range. Let’s break down what’s known.

What is her salary at Chelsea?

  • Exact figures not disclosed (PinkNews).
  • Top Lionesses players reportedly earn around £400,000 per year (Wikipedia (general encyclopedia)).
  • Carpenter is likely in the £300,000–£400,000 bracket given her profile and Chelsea tier.

How does her earnings compare to other Lionesses?

  • Michelle Agyemang’s salary estimated at £30,000–£50,000 annually (PinkNews).
  • Top earners like Lucy Bronze and Mary Earps are in the £300,000–£400,000 range (7NEWS).
  • Carpenter’s Chelsea transfer suggests she’s in that top tier.
The catch

Without official disclosure, any salary figure is a best estimate based on market knowledge of WSL pay scales.

What nationality is Ellie Carpenter?

She is Australian, born in Cowra, New South Wales. No dual citizenship has been reported — she solely represents the Matildas.

Where was she born?

  • Cowra, New South Wales, Australia (Wikipedia (general encyclopedia)).

Does she have dual citizenship?

  • No official records confirm any second passport; she is exclusively Australian.
Bottom line: Carpenter is proudly Australian and has represented her country at three Olympic Games.

Is Sabrina Carpenter related to Ellie Carpenter?

No. Despite the shared surname, there is no family connection. Sabrina Carpenter is an American actress and singer.

Are they family?

  • No relation confirmed by any official source (Wikipedia).

What is the source of the confusion?

  • Common surname coincidence — leads to occasional online mix-ups.

Who is the richest Lionesses player?

Based on reported salaries, Lucy Bronze and Mary Earps are among the highest earners in the Women’s Super League.

What are the top salaries in the Women’s Super League?

  • Top tier: £300,000–£400,000 per year (PinkNews).
  • Lucy Bronze and Mary Earps are frequently cited as top earners (7NEWS).

How does Ellie Carpenter compare?

  • Likely in the same bracket after joining Chelsea, but no verified figure.
Why this matters

Salary transparency in women’s football is still limited; Carpenter’s move to Chelsea suggests she is now among the league’s best-compensated defenders.

Timeline

  • — Ellie Carpenter born in Cowra, Australia. (Wikipedia)
  • — Made senior debut for Matildas at age 15.
  • — Competed in first Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020).
  • — Relationship with Danielle van de Donk became public. (7NEWS)
  • — Joined Chelsea from Lyon on four-year contract. (7NEWS)
  • — Participated in her third Olympic Games.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Ellie Carpenter is in a relationship with Danielle van de Donk; married June 2025. (PinkNews)
  • Australian and plays for Matildas. (Wikipedia)
  • Transferred to Chelsea in July 2025. (7NEWS)
  • Not related to Sabrina Carpenter. (multiple sources)

What’s unclear

  • Exact wedding date and venue details not officially confirmed. (Wikipedia)
  • Salary at Chelsea not publicly disclosed.
  • Net worth estimate unavailable from official sources.

Quotes from the key figures

“I’m excited about the move to Chelsea and can’t wait to get started with the team.”

Ellie Carpenter, as reported by 7NEWS (Australian news outlet)

“We are thrilled to be starting our life together in London.”

Danielle van de Donk, as reported by PinkNews (LGBTQ+ news outlet)

Ellie Carpenter’s story is one of rapid rise and careful privacy. For the Australian football fan and the WSL follower, the takeaway is clear: on the pitch, she’s a reliable defender with a knack for being in the right place at the right time; off it, she controls her narrative tightly. Her next challenge — establishing herself at Chelsea while continuing to anchor the Matildas’ back line — will define the next chapter of her already impressive career.

Related reading: **Sam Kerr Net Worth: Salary and Earnings in 2025**

Frequently asked questions

What is Ellie Carpenter’s position on the field?

She plays as a right-back.

How old is Ellie Carpenter?

She was born on 28 April 2000, making her 25 years old (as of 2025).

Which club does Ellie Carpenter play for?

She plays for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, having joined in July 2025.

Is Ellie Carpenter married?

Yes, she married Danielle van de Donk in June 2025.

What is Ellie Carpenter’s Instagram handle?

Her official Instagram handle is @elliecarpenterr.

Did Ellie Carpenter play for Lyon before Chelsea?

Yes, she played for Olympique Lyonnais for five seasons before moving to Chelsea.

How many Olympic medals has Ellie Carpenter won?

She won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with the Matildas.