Chelsea have completed the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a British record fee.
Caicedo joins Chelsea in a deal worth a staggering £115 million, penning an eight-year contract, with the option of a further year.
He underwent a medical today after rejecting the chance to join Liverpool last week.
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Chelsea announced Caicedo by recreating an old picture of the player seemingly taken in his native Ecuador. In the snap, which had previously circulated social media, the midfielder is sitting against a stationary red car alongside his mother, donning a Chelsea shirt.
Chelsea recreated the photo and accompanied it with the captioned, "It’s only ever been Chelsea", perhaps in reference to Liverpool's futile attempts to sign the player.
On his move Caicedo told the club website: "I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club. It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team."
Meanwhile, co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: "Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
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"Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we've been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead."
The £115 million fee means Chelsea will break the British record twice this year, following the acquisition of Enzo Fernandez who cost £107 million from Benfica in January.
The 21-year-old wasn't included in the matchday squad for Brighton's 4-1 victory over Luton Town in their Premier League opener last Saturday.
The player enjoyed a breakout term last season as he played 37 league games, winning the club's Player of the Season and the Players' Player of the Season awards.
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Caicedo becomes Chelsea's eighth transfer of the summer following the arrivals of Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesly Ugochukwu, Angelo Gabriel, Diego Morreira and Robert Sanchez.
The Ecuadorian could make his debut for his new team on Sunday when the Blues resume their league campaign against West Ham United.
Chelsea opened their 2023/24 season with a 1-1 draw with Liverpool Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Topics: Moises Caicedo, Chelsea, Football
Nasir Jabbar