Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Ben Chilwell from Leicester for a fee of around £50m.
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.
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.
Signing a new left-back, and Chilwell in particular, was a big transfer window priority for Lampard.
He has long been Lampard’s No.1 choice for the position and Chelsea had emerged as frontrunners for his signature following previous interest from Manchester City.
Chilwell’s move to Stamford Bridge ends his 11-year association with Leicester.
Chilwell said: ‘I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club.
‘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.’
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