Chelsea complete £50m signing of Chilwell from Leicester. Chilwell, 23, becomes manager Frank Lampard’s third major signing, taking his summer spending to around £136m following the previous captures of Hakim Ziyech for just under £37m from Ajax and forward Timo Werner for £49m from RB Leipzig.
- Chelsea have authoritatively marked Leicester left back Ben Chilwell in a £50m bargain
- The club distinguished the 23-year-old as one of their key focuses for this late spring
- The England universal joins on a drawn out arrangement during the spending binge
- Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech had just joined the club before this late spring
The England defender has signed a five-year deal worth up to £190,000-per-week after passing a medical and also having checks on the heel injury that ruled him out of the end of last season.
‘I’m looking forward to being a part of this young, dynamic squad led by Frank Lampard as we challenge for honours next season.
‘I can’t wait to get started and hopefully it won’t be long before we’re playing in front of fans at Stamford Bridge.’
Following the announcement, the full-back added on Twitter: ‘Absolutely buzzing to sign for @ChelseaFC. Really exciting time for the club, with such a good squad! Can’t wait to meet all of the lads and everyone around the building. Special thank you to the manager for the faith he has shown in me. A dream come true. Come on you blues.’
He joined the club in 2009, came through the ranks and has made 123 appearances for Leicester, scoring four times.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘We are very pleased to have completed our third addition to our exciting squad for the coming season.
‘Ben brings plenty of top-level experience playing in the Premier League, Champions League and at international level, despite his young age.
We are confident Ben will adapt very quickly to being a Chelsea player and with the fixture programme for 2020-21 especially busy, he is a fantastic addition to the squad needed to challenge for honours.’
Chelsea are backing Lampard in the transfer market as they bid to cut the gap to runaway champions Liverpool and runners up Manchester City, after finishing fourth last season.
The Blues are close to a £90m deal for Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kai Havertz close and experienced defender Thiago Silva is due for a medical on Thursday ahead of a free transfer move to Stamford Bridge after he left Champions League runners up Paris Saint Germain at the end of his contract.
Chelsea are also close to snapping up free agent French defender Malang Sarr before loaning him back out and remain in the market for another centre back and goalkeeper.