Chelsea have announced the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton in a British record transfer worth £115m.
The Ecuador international midfielder has signed an eight-year contract until 2031 and the Blues have the option to extend it by a further year until 2032.
There has been intense transfer speculation over Caicedo after his stellar campaign with the Seagulls last season, helping Brighton qualify for Europe for the first time in the club's history and reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Liverpool thought they were set to welcome Caicedo to Anfield after agreeing a stunning £111m deal but the 21-year-old effectively turned down Jurgen Klopp's side to hold out for Chelsea, who ended up paying slightly more for the player.
Caicedo has now become the most expensive signing in Premier League history - surpassing the £106.8m Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez in the January window.
'I am so happy to join Chelsea!' Caicedo said in a statement on the club's website. '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.
'It's a dream come true to be here and I can't wait to get started with the team.'
Chelsea's co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley added: '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.'
He becomes Mauricio Pochettino's latest summer signing following the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Axel Disasi.
Chelsea got their Premier League season started on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in Pochettino's first game as head coach as the Argentine looks to improve on the Blues' poor 12th-placed finish last term.
Speaking after the game, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who is a known admirer of Caicedo and is keen to bolster his own midfield options, aimed a dig at Chelsea when it was put to him that Pochettino was looking to bring in more players.
Comments