OFFICIAL: Chelsea sign French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes

Chelsea officially welcomes 19-year-old French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu to the club in a €27 million deal

Premier League giants Chelsea have announced the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from French side Rennes.

Chelsea announce Ugochukwu signing

The prodigious midfielder joins the Blues on a seven-year contract with an option for an extra year in a deal that will cost Chelsea €27 million.

The club announced Ugochukwu’s signing with a statement posted on Twitter welcoming the France youth international to Stamford Bridge.

In the club’s statement, Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley welcomed Ugochukwu saying, “We’re delighted Lesley is joining Chelsea. He is an impressive young player who has already made his mark in Ligue 1.

“He has a huge amount of potential and we know he is going to continue to develop and improve. We are pleased that he has joined us in the U.S and that he will be able to integrate with the squad quickly.”

Ugochukwu joining Chelsea after rave reviews in Ligue 1

Ugochukwu has enjoyed two full seasons in Ligue 1 with Rennes since making his debut in 2021, playing 60 games for the French club while gaining a reputation as one of the best young midfielders in the league.

Chelsea also paid tribute to his time in France saying, “Ugochukwu has quickly built a reputation as a ball-winning midfielder and a good user of possession.

“He joined the Rennes youth system at eight years old and made his senior debut just after his 17th birthday. He became the club’s fourth-youngest debutant at the time.”

Despite being the nephew of former Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Onyekachi Apam, Ugochukwu has only represented France in his international career, albeit only at the youth level.

There is so far no indication that the Chelsea new boy will be willing to represent Nigeria at senior level.

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