Wesley Fofana moves to Chelsea in a deal worth £70m plus £5m in add-ons; Chelsea had three previous bids for the defender rejected by Leicester; the Frenchman is the Blues’ seventh signing of the summer transfer window
Chelsea have completed the signing of centre-back Wesley Fofana from Leicester in a deal worth up to £75m.
Chelsea will pay an initial £70m, with a further £5m possible in add-ons, and Fofana has signed a seven-year contract with the club.
Leicester and Chelsea agreed a fee for Fofana on Saturday, with the defender flying to the USA on Monday for his medical.
Fofana said: “The two last days have been really big days for me and I’m very happy. I trained this morning with the team and it’s a dream for me. I’m very excited to start playing games for the fans and the club.
“I’m here to win trophies – the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, everything. I came here to win and the club is built to win trophies so I’m here to continue that.”
Fofana later released a statement on his Instagram thanking Leicester fans for their “kindness and your constant support, even in the moments you were led to believe I didn’t respect the club”. Fofana also appeared to criticise Leicester and manager Brendan Rodgers for their handling of the long-running transfer saga.
Fofana added: “I chose not to communicate during this transfer window despite all the criticism and all the often false and misleading comments, even when they were coming from the club.
“I understood and I learned. I didn’t want to damage the image of the institution and I chose to take it rather than answer. I thank Top for his understanding, thanks to the managers, to the coach who has always appreciated me, even if he chose to expose me a lot lately… I got it coach.”
Leicester declined to comment on Fofana’s post when approached by Sky Sports News.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly added: “Wesley is a hugely-promising defender who has already proven his quality in the Premier League at a young age. We are delighted we were able to bring one of Europe’s most exciting talents to Chelsea and further strengthen that area of our squad, both for this season and many more to come.”
Chelsea had made three previous bids for Fofana which were all swiftly rejected by Leicester – two in excess of £60m and one believed to be £60m plus £10m in add-ons.
Rodgers confirmed the player had been training with Leicester’s U23 team after failing to turn up to a training session last week, with the Frenchman trying to force a move to Stamford Bridge.
After Chelsea beat Leicester 2-1 on Saturday, Rodgers revealed his intentions to get a quick resolution in the Fofana transfer saga.
“I think it’s the same with any player,” he said. “If they decide they want to move and they see their future elsewhere, it’s always better to have it done as quick as you possibly can.
“You have to prepare a team and you have to replace that player. It’s only normal – every coach will tell you the same. I don’t think it benefits anyone if it drags on.”
