Chelsea sign Felix from Atletico on seven-year contract

Chelsea sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a seven-year deal, praised by manager Maresca for versatility.

Chelsea have signed Portugal forward Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a seven-year deal, the Premier League club said 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 impressed during his six-month loan spell at Chelsea in the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. He spent the last campaign on loan at Barcelona, scoring 10 goals in 44 games.

Atletico signed Felix from Benfica in 2019 for a club-record fee of 126 million euros ($140 million). He scored 34 goals in 131 matches 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.