Chelsea have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Portuguese forward Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a seven-year deal. The Premier League club confirmed the transfer on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
Financial details were not disclosed, but English media reported that Chelsea paid around 46 million pounds ($59.95 million) to secure the 24-year-old’s return to Stamford Bridge. Felix had previously spent a six-month loan spell at Chelsea in the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. He also had a loan stint at Barcelona last campaign, where he netted 10 goals in 44 games.
Atletico Madrid had signed Felix from Benfica in 2019 for a club-record fee of 126 million euros ($140 million). He scored 34 goals in 131 matches for the Spanish club and helped them win the LaLiga title in 2021.
“It’s a chance for me to find a home,” Felix told Chelsea’s website. “After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place. There’s no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.”
“I felt really good when I was here, despite the results we had. I’m really happy to be back,” he added.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised Felix’s versatility. “The good thing about Joao is that he can play in different positions. He can play inside, he can play as a (number) nine, he can play outside,” Maresca told reporters.
Chelsea will face Swiss side Servette in the Europa Conference League playoff stage on Thursday before visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Sunday.
