British Record Fee: Chelsea Signs Moises Caicedo From Brighton

Chelsea have completed the signing of Ecuadorean midfielder Moises Caicedo on an eight-year contract from Brighton & Hove Albion after breaking the British transfer record, the Premier League club announced.

According to reports, the Blues will pay 115 million pounds ($145.96 million), eclipsing the 106 million pounds record fee the London club paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January.

Caicedo, 21, was also the subject of a close season tug-of-war between Chelsea and Liverpool. Chelsea had several bids for Caicedo rejected before Liverpool swooped in with their offer but the Ecuadorean decided to move to the west London club managed by Mauricio Pochettino.

To be continued! 📖 pic.twitter.com/lGipKI6d2M

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 14, 2023

“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,” Caicedo said.

“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.”

• Read more: Chelsea Holds Liverpool At Stamford Bridge

Caicedo, 21, signed for Brighton in February 2021 for a reported 4.5 million pounds and was loaned to Belgian club Beerschot in August that year. He was recalled to Brighton in January 2022 after 14 appearances in Belgium.

The Ecuadorean still had four years to run on his Brighton contract but had told the south-coast club he wished to leave and has now joined Chelsea.

As many as 12 players have left Chelsea on permanent deals while Caicedo joins other summer recruits such as Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Angelo.

Chelsea began the Premier League campaign with a 1-1 home draw with Liverpool at the weekend and next visit West Ham United on Sunday.