Joao Pedro joins Chelsea in time for Club World Cup last eight

Joao Pedro has become the 18th forward to sign for Chelsea in just over three years under their current owners.

He joins from Brighton in a deal worth £60m, taking their total spending on attackers in that period to £560m.

And the 23-year-old could go straight in to the squad for Chelsea’s Club World Cup quarter-final with Palmeiras on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Typically for a Blues signing, Joao Pedro has signed a long contract – eight years – although the club can no longer spread the cost of his transfer over the length of the deal after that loophole was closed by the Premier League.

The Fluminense youth product scored 30 goals in 70 games for Brighton after joining from Watford in 2023 for just under £30m, which at the time was a club record fee.

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

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said it was a “good move for all parties”.

“It’s an excellent deal for the club, and a good return on a significant investment in an area of the pitch where we have a lot of competition and are already well served in terms of our attacking talent,” he added.

“It’s also an exciting move for Joao – it gives him the opportunity to play Champions League football this coming season, and he will of course be keen to cement his position in the Brazil team before the World Cup next summer.”

Credit: bbc

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