Chelsea have confirmed the permanent signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
Portugal international Felix, who has eight goals in 41 Selecao caps, spent last season on loan at Barcelona, scoring 10 times in 44 matches.
Chelsea signed him on loan during the second half of the 2022-23 season, receiving a return of four goals in 16 league appearances.
Now 24, Felix became Atleti’s record signing when he joined Diego Simeone’s side for £113m from Benfica in 2019, scoring nine times and providing three assists in 36 appearances in his first season at the club.
But having spent the last two seasons unsettled, he has now made Stamford Bridge his permanent home.
According to the BBC, the Blues will pay around £45million for Felix, having sent Conor Gallagher the other way for around £33m.
Chelsea is where he belongs. 🏡
We are delighted to announce the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. 🇵🇹🔵 pic.twitter.com/k8jF2PNSgV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 21, 2024
Speaking for the first time as a permanent Chelsea man, he said: “After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place. There is no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.
“It was a little bit of a lot of things that made me want to come back: the project, the club, the league, the fans, the time I spent here that I loved.
“I felt really good when I was here, despite the results we had. I’m really happy to be back.
“I’ve developed as a player in a lot of ways: the perception of the game, and the spaces the ball can arrive easily where I can make more impact.
“I try to figure it out by watching some videos of me of my games.
“I’ve kind of changed since I was last here. I’m 24 now. I’ll be 25 in November. I feel like I grew up as a player. That’s normal with age. I’m more prepared for the Premier League.
“I feel like my best years are ahead of me. I have no doubt about that. The best years are still to come. And this year is going to be a good year, because now I am permanently at home, and I can enjoy home.”
Home again. pic.twitter.com/rIVHTYHCVO
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 21, 2024
Head coach Enzo Maresca was delighted to get Felix on board, despite the surplus number of players still at the club.
The likes of Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling have been told they have no future at the West London club and that Felix will be picked in their place.
He said: “I am not working with 42 players. I am working with 21 players. The other 15-20 players are training apart. I don’t see them. It’s not a mess like it looks from outside. Absolutely not.
“They can even have 20 years contract, it’s not my point. I don’t care.
“I am not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer different kinds of wingers. It’s simple. I’ve been honest, he will have no minutes here.
“Joao Felix, he’s a talent. The club already knows him. The good thing is he can play different positions for us: inside, nine, outside.”
Chelsea lost their opening Premier League fixture to champions Manchester City but will be hoping to get back on track with Felix’s help when they travel to Wolves this weekend.
