Chelsea sign Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano as Marc Cucurella replacement

London: Chelsea have completed the signing of Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano on a long-term contract running through to 2031.

The 28-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge as a direct replacement for fellow Spaniard Marc Cucurella, who departed for Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window. Chavarria played a key role for Rayo Vallecano last season, helping the La Liga outfit reach the UEFA Conference League final alongside securing an eighth-place league finish for a second consecutive campaign.

Also read: ‘Simply not possible with a national team...’: Slot on rejecting Netherlands head coach role  

Chavarria reacts to Stamford Bridge move

Speaking on his arrival in West London, Chavarria expressed his delight at taking the step up to Premier League football:

"This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world," Chavarria said. "It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success."

Busy transfer window under Xabi Alonso

Chavarria becomes the latest addition to a overhauled Chelsea squad under new manager Xabi Alonso. The Blues have conducted extensive business during a frantic summer window, bolstering several areas of the squad:

Position	Offseason Signings
Defenders	Pep Chavarria, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda
Midfielders	Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers
Forwards	Danny Welbeck

(AFP)