Chelsea have completed the signing of Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa.
The 18-year-old has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge running until 2028 and joins for an initial fee of £15million, with a further £5m potentially due in add-ons. He becomes the highest-paid teenager in English football.
Chukwuemeka is regarded as among the best young midfield prospects in Europe, impressing as the standout player in England’s Under-19 European Championship triumph in Slovakia this summer.
A Villa academy graduate who went on to make 16 senior appearances for the club, he had no interest in extending his previous contract that was due to expire next summer and Steven Gerrard became resigned to losing him, leaving Chukwuemeka out of their pre-season squad to tour Australia.
Chelsea had kept their move for Chukwuemeka largely under wraps, making an initial announcement that stunned fans on Tuesday. Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Leeds were among the other clubs linked, along with overseas suitors such as Barcelona, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.
“It’s been quite hectic but I couldn’t get Chelsea out of my head the last few days so I’m just happy and relieved that it’s all done,” Chukwuemeka told Chelsea’s website after the transfer was officially announced.
“I’m so excited and just can’t wait to get on the pitch, meet all the players and try to win games and trophies with Chelsea.”
Chukwuemeka is the fourth confirmed signing at Chelsea this summer, following Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Gabriel Slonina, with the latter loaned back to Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Chicago Fire until January.
Villa’s statement confirming the deal comprised of just 28 words, reading: “Aston Villa can confirm Carney Chukwuemeka has completed his transfer to Chelsea.
“Everyone at the Club would like to wish Carney all the very best for the future.”
