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Club World Cup champion Chelsea has completed the signing of Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax in a deal worth a reported 37 million pounds ($49 million). The 19-year-old Hato, who has been capped six times by his country, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge. He becomes the Blues' eighth signing of the summer transfer window. I'm very excited, Hato, who can operate in central defense or at left back, told the Premier League club's website. I thought a lot about my future and wanted to take the next step in my career. Chelsea is the best place for me to do that so I'm very happy. Hato joined Ajax's academy from hometown club Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 and signed his first professional contract aged 16 four years later. He scored four goals in 111 appearances for the Eredivisie team, with his international debut coming as a substitute in a 6-0 win against Gibraltar in November 2023. Chelsea starts its Premier League season on Aug. 17 at home to Crystal Palac
Cole Palmer was jumping up and down behind Reece James as the Chelsea captain received the trophy for the Club World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump to his left, standing between the midfielder and goalkeeper Robert Snchez. "I knew he was going to be here, but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused," Palmer said. Palmer received the Golden Ball as top player of the tournament after scoring the first two goals in Chelsea's 3-0 smothering of Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night. Trump appeared to leave the award stand with a medal of his own, handed to him by FIFA President Gianni Infantino right after the medallion presented to James. At 23, Palmer was selected player of the match for Chelsea's second straight final. A rising English star, he assisted twice in a 4-1 win over Real Betis on May 28 that won the Europa Conference League. He also scored the Blues' first goal in the 2-1 quarterfinal Club World Cup win over Palmeiras
Joo Pedro scored twice against his boyhood team in his first start for Chelsea, leading the Blues over Fluminense 2-0 Tuesday to assure an all-European Club World Cup final. A 23-year-old who had been at Fluminense from about age 10 until leaving for Watford in 2020, Joo Pedro scored in the 18th and 56th minutes and refused to celebrate either goal in a sign of respect for his former club. He joined Chelsea from Brighton on July 2. Seeking its second world championship, Chelsea advanced to Sunday's title match against the winner of Wednesday's game between European champion Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. European teams will win their 12th straight Club World Cup title and 17th in 18 tries, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea, which won in 2021. Fluminense was initially awarded a first-half penalty kick but it was taken away in a video review. Chelsea's Moiss Caicedo injured his left ankle in second-half stoppage time. A crowd of 70,556 was
Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton on Wednesday to continue the Premier League club's lavish spending under American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. The Brazil forward cost a reported 60 million pounds ($82 million) and has signed a contract through to 2033. Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history, Joao Pedro said. 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. The Brazil international has joined up with Chelsea's squad at the Club World Cup in the United States and is eligible to play in Friday's quarterfinal against Palmeiras. Joao Pedro is Chelsea's fifth major signing this offseason after previous deals for Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr. Under Boehly and Clearlake, who bought Chelsea in 2022, the six-time English champion has spent well in excess of $1 billion on transfers, including British record fees
Arsenal completed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga as a free agent on Tuesday after the goalkeeper's contract at Chelsea expired. Kepa was a $92.6 million world record signing for a goalkeeper when joining Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and went on to win the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup during his seven years at the club. But he spent long periods of his time at Stamford Bridge as a back up and leaves after loans spells at Bournemouth and Real Madrid over the past two seasons. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. Kepa posted a goodbye message to Chelsea fans on social media before his move to Arsenal was announced. After seven unforgettable years the time has come to close a very special chapter in my life, he posted. Chelsea was my home, my family and the place where I grew both as a footballer and as a .