The highly-anticipated transfer of Portugal ahead Joao Felix to Chelsea is lastly full, because the 21-year-old joins the Premier League membership on mortgage from Atletico Madrid that may hold him at Stamford Bridge till the top of the present marketing campaign.
Felix has additionally prolonged his contract with Atletico for another 12 months till June 2027, it was introduced on Wednesday.
“Chelsea is likely one of the nice groups on this planet and I hope to assist the crew attain their goals, so I’m very completely happy to be right here and really excited to play at Stamford Bridge,” the participant stated.
Felix grew to become the third costliest participant of all time when Atletico triggered the 126 million euro (round $140 million) buyout clause in his contract in 2019 to signal him from Benfica.
The 23-year-old Felix is not a assured starter beneath coach Diego Simeone, however Atletico moved to increase his present deal.
“From Atletico de Madrid we want Joao Felix each success on this new skilled stage,” the Spanish membership stated in a press release.
Felix will hope to rediscover his greatest type at Chelsea, which has been struggling for attacking inspiration in a poor run of latest outcomes which have left supervisor Graham Potter beneath stress.
Chelsea has now signed 4 gamers in January – Ivory Coast ahead David Datro Fofana, Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and France defender Benoît Badiashile had already joined this month – however Felix is by far probably the most excessive profile.
Felix provides to the huge array of attacking choices at Potter’s disposal, health allowing, with the Portugal worldwide – who performed in 4 of the nation’s 5 matches on the World Cup in Qatar – competing with Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech for a spot within the ahead line.
Felix by no means absolutely fulfilled the expectations that got here alongside together with his high-profile switch in 2019 to exchange Antoine Griezmann, who had left Atletico to affix Barcelona. Then 19, Felix was thought-about by many in Portugal because the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico followers anticipated him to turn into one of many crew’s largest stars.
His lackluster first season was blamed totally on him needing extra time to adapt to taking part in in a prime league. He received the Spanish league championship with Atletico the next season regardless of scuffling with accidents and never having a key position within the title marketing campaign. He has since proven spurts of greatness however hasn’t performed constantly on the stage that followers had hoped to see from him.
His departure comes amid reviews that he grew to become more and more at odds with Simeone, who has repeatedly denied having any issues with the participant.
