Chelsea have secured the signing of 19-year-old French midfielder, Lesley Ugochukwu, from Rennes.
The promising teenager has joined the Blues on a seven-year deal for a reported fee of 27 million euros (£23.2 million).
The acquisition comes as Chelsea’s latest move to bolster their midfield, as recently emphasized by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Having already made 47 appearances in Ligue 1 for Rennes and showcased his skills in the Europa League, he has proven himself to be a player of immense promise.
Although he is yet to make his senior debut for the French national team, he has represented Les Bleus at the under-17, under-18, and under-19 levels, indicating the recognition of his talent by the national setup.
The young midfielder’s journey to this point has been impressive, making his senior debut for Rennes just after turning 17 years old.
Given his young age and the need for consistent playing time to further his development, there are indications that Ugochukwu could be sent on loan to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, expressed their delight at securing Ugochukwu’s signature and praised his potential for future growth.
They highlighted his existing impact in Ligue 1 and expect him to continue developing and improving under the guidance of the club.
However, the Blues have also seen some departures from their squad, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, and Mason Mount moving to rival clubs, and star players like N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy finding new challenges in the Saudi Pro League.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic have also left the club to join Italian giants AC Milan.
