Chelsea have completed the signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton, the club have confirmed.
The deal, believed to be worth £60m with Brighton confirming they received a club-record fee, is a real boost following Manchester City’s keen interest in the left-back earlier this summer.
Cucurella has put pen to paper on a six-year deal, with Levi Colwill heading in the opposite direction on loan.
Chelsea’s announcement also saw them mocking the Seagulls’ statement from earlier this week, in which they refuted claims that a deal had been agreed.
The 24-year-old joined the Seagulls from Getafe last season for a fee of £15m before making 34 appearances for Graham Potter’s side.
It is believed that Cucurella will replace Marcos Alonso who continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona.
However, reports suggest that manager Thomas Tuchel could also use him as a left centre-back as Ben Chilwell is already at the club.
Chelsea have already been hot on the trail of numerous defensive targets this summer with Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake and Presnel Kimpembe all linked to the club.
But speaking after completing the move, Cucurella says he is delighted the move is sorted.
He said: “I’m really happy. It’s a great opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world and I will work hard to be happy here and help the team.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly added: “Marc is an elite defender of proven quality in the Premier League and he further strengthens our squad for the new season.
“We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we are delighted that Marc will be part of the present and the future at Chelsea.”
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