Chelsea Complete £60m Joao Pedro Transfer

Chelsea Football Club has confirmed the signing of Brazilian striker Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth a reported £60 million ($79 million). The 23-year-old forward has agreed to an eight-year contract with the Blues.

Pedro arrived in the United States on Sunday, where Chelsea are currently competing in the Club World Cup, after finalizing the terms of his deal.

Following a successful medical, he is now eligible to play for Enzo Maresca’s side in the quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadelphia. FIFA’s deadline for registering new players for the tournament is July 3, allowing Chelsea to incorporate Pedro into their squad.

“Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,” 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.”

Pedro joins Chelsea after scoring 30 goals in 70 appearances for Brighton, where he was signed from Watford for £30 million two years ago.

The striker has also earned three caps for Brazil. His move to Chelsea marks the fourth transfer from Brighton to the Blues in recent years, following Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea has been active in the transfer market, signing striker Liam Delap, midfielder Dario Essugo, and defender Mamadou Sarr since the end of last season.

The club is also expecting the arrival of Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian, 18, after his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras. Additionally, reports suggest that Chelsea has agreed to a deal worth up to $76 million for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, 20.

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