Chelsea sign Chukwuemeka from Villa for £20m
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Chelsea have signed 18-year-old midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa for £20m.
He was left out of Villa’s pre-season tour of Australia after refusing to sign a new contract.
“It’s been pretty hectic but I haven’t been able to get Chelsea off my mind the last few days so I’m happy and relieved that it’s all done,” said Chukwuemeka.
“I’m really excited and can’t wait to get on the pitch, meet all the players and try to win games and trophies with Chelsea.”
Chukwuemeka, who played 12 games for Villa last season, has been contracted until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Last month, Villa boss Steven Gerrard said Chukwuemeka had not signed a contract offer that had been in place “for some time”.
It had been linked with Barcelona, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly said: “Carney is one of the most exciting young players in Europe so we’re really looking forward to seeing him in action at Stamford Bridge.
“We are delighted to be able to bring him to Chelsea and add such a talented young man to our squad for the new season and beyond.”
Chelsea have brought in England striker Raheem Sterling from Manchester City for £50m this summer and Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £34m.
They also signed American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, 18, for a reported £12 million of the Chicago Fire, where he will remain on loan until the end of the Major League Soccer season.
Chelsea are close to signing Spanish defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton, who rejected a £30m bid from Manchester City in July.
