Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported British record fee of £115m.
The 21-year-old has agreed to an eight-year deal at Stamford Bridge, with the option of a further year.
If correct, that transfer sum would be a Premier League record, surpassing the £107m fee reportedly paid to Benfica by Chelsea in January this year for Caicedo’s new midfield team-mate Enzo Fernandez.
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He is the second player to join Chelsea from Brighton this summer after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Brighton had agreed a deal last week with Liverpool for Caicedo but reports suggested that the Ecuadorian preferred to move to Chelsea.
“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,” Caicedo told Chelsea’s official website.
“It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”
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.
"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."
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Caicedo moved to Brighton in February 2021 and went on to play 45 times in the Premier League, scoring twice.
Since then, his 304 recoveries and 182 combined tackles and interceptions, have earned him a reputation as one of the league’s best defensive midfielders.
He has also been capped 32 times by Ecuador and appeared at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
His debut for Chelsea could come in their next fixture, away to West Ham United on Sunday 20 August.
