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Joao Felix has accomplished a return to Chelsea rejoining the Blues on a everlasting switch in a deal which might rise in extra of £46m.
The 24-year-old spent six months on-loan at Stamford Bridge within the 2022/23 season and scored 4 instances in 20 appearances. He has signed a seven-year contract.
His return comes after a long-running switch saga which noticed Chelsea negotiate a deal to ship midfielder Conor Gallagher in the wrong way with a transfer to Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old, who got here by means of the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish facet after the golf equipment agreed a reported £33.7m charge.
Gallagher’s sale was finished, partially, as a necessity as Chelsea look to stick to the Premier League’s Revenue & Sustainability guidelines. As a homegrown participant the proceeds from his sale can be recorded as pure revenue for the Blues.
The midfielder grew to become a daily within the Chelsea facet over the previous two seasons after mortgage spells at Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and Crystal Palace. He made 95 appearances and scored 10 objectives. He was a preferred participant with the followers who’ve been vocal of their displeasure at Chelsea’s ongoing resolution to dump their academy skills.
After his signing was introduced on X, previously Twitter, Joao Felix stated: “I’m actually blissful to be again at Chelsea and I can’t wait to get began. I can see some acquainted faces from the final time I used to be right here, which is all the time good.
“I beloved my time right here earlier than and I instructed my family and friends that I’d like to return to the Premier League in the future. To try this with Chelsea is a superb feeling and I’m excited to be again.”
Following his mortgage spell at Stamford Bridge, Atletico despatched Felix on mortgage to Barcelona and the versatile ahead is happy to have a everlasting house as soon as extra.
“It’s an opportunity for me to discover a house,” he added. “After two loans, I wanted to remain completely in a single place. There isn’t a higher place for me to be than Chelsea. I see an ideal place to shine.
“I’ve type of modified since I used to be final right here. I’m extra ready for the Premier League. I really feel like my finest years are forward of me. One of the best years are nonetheless to return, and this yr goes to be an excellent yr, as a result of now I’m completely at house, and I can take pleasure in house.”
Felix turns into the newest addition to Chelsea’s unbelievably big squad which is a rising trigger for concern.
Raheem Sterling was not noted of the matchday squad versus Manchester Metropolis inflicting his agent to launch an announcement about his position on the membership. Pundits Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher have additionally questioned why Chelsea proceed to spend cash with Carragher going as far as telling them to ‘cease shopping for gamers’.
Talking at his press convention on Wednesday supervisor Enzo Maresca defined why the membership selected to signal Felix.
“To start with as a result of he’s an excellent participant, he’s a expertise,” he stated. “The membership already is aware of him from two years in the past. He can play totally different positions with us, inside, as a 9, outdoors.”
