Chelsea has officially confirmed the groundbreaking transfer of Moises Caicedo from Brighton, setting a new British record with a fee of £115 million, surpassing the previous £106.8 million spent on Enzo Fernandez in January.
The 21-year-old midfielder has committed to an impressive eight-year contract that binds him to Stamford Bridge until 2031.
Ecstatic about his move, Caicedo exclaimed, “I am so happy to join Chelsea!” the 21-year-old said. “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.”
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, the co-sporting directors, expressed their excitement as well, stating, “Moises has showcased remarkable talent on the European stage over the last 18 months, and we’re elated to have him on board with 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 rise to stardom is remarkable, having joined Brighton in 2021 for a modest £4 million and even spending part of his debut year on loan at Beerschot in Belgium. His rapid ascent to becoming one of the Premier League’s top midfielders is astonishing, transforming from a relatively unknown prospect to the most expensive player in British football history in just a single year.
While Chelsea’s interest in Caicedo dates back several months, their earlier offer for the Ecuadorian international capped at £80 million. Liverpool appeared poised to secure him with a £111 million bid, only for Chelsea to reenter the competition.
For Caicedo, Chelsea has always held a special allure, and his homecoming in Ecuador saw the club recreate an image of him donning the Chelsea jersey to commemorate his arrival.