Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Brazilian star Joao Pedro from Brighton, who joins the Blues on a £60million deal.
Enzo Maresca’s latest acquisition Pedro, the 23-year-old forward, flew from Brazil to the United States on Sunday night to meet his new team-mates and hold his medical ahead of signing officially.
The Blues announced the signing with a video of the former Brighton forward doing keepy-uppies on a beach against some Brazilian jazz music, with the words: ‘Welcome to Chelsea, Joao Pedro.’
Chelsea are currently bidding to win the first of the newly-expanded Club World Cups, taking on Brazilian side Palmeiras in the quarter-finals having seen off Benfica in extra time in the last 16.
However, Pedro is now eligible to feature in that match after penning terms on what is thought to be an eight-year deal.
‘Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,’ said Pedro of his new club.
Joao Pedro has joined Chelsea from Brighton for a fee that could rise to £60million
His arrival was announced by Chelsea in a video showing him playing keepy-uppies on a beach
‘They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now, so I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing – win.’
Pedro was one of Brighton’s brightest stars in the last two seasons after joining the Seagulls from Watford back in 2023.
In that period he managed 30 goals and 10 assists in just 70 appearances, picking up admiring glances from Chelsea among others for his impressive displays.
He now joins the likes of Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella in joining from the Seagulls in recent years.
While Pedro is able to come straight into the Club World Cup squad along with Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo who were eligible for the group stages, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens would not be allowed.
The Blues have had a £55m fee accepted for his services from Borussia Dortmund, though given he has featured for the German side at the competition he would be effectively cup-tied.
Pedro revealed in an interview with Chelsea that he had spoken with current player Andrey Santos on Instagram about the club, and received a positive recommendation.
He added: ‘I’m close a little bit to David Luiz. I spoke to him, not about Chelsea, but about my career and how I could develop better. He helped me.’
MORE TO FOLLOW.
