Chelsea have completed the signing of Ecuador international midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Blues reportedly paid a British record fee of £115 million after he refused to join rivals Liverpool who had agreed £111m with Brighton.
The 21-year-old agreed to an eight-year contract with a club option of a further year at Stamford Bridge.
At his unveiling, Caicedo said: “I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club.
“It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team,” he told Chelsea website.
Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: ‘Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
‘Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we’ve been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead.’
Caicedo’s journey to Chelsea started in the Ecuadorian city of Santo Domingo. By the age of 13, he was playing for a regional select XI and was in the youth ranks of CD Espoli. He joined Independiente del Valle two years later.
