Chelsea have signed João Pedro. The Brazilian forward signed a seven-year contract on Wednesday, running until 2032.
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Chelsea have officially announced the signing of João Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal reportedly worth around €65 million, excluding performance-related bonuses.
The 23-year-old Brazilian forward has signed a long-term contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2032, underlining the club’s faith in his potential and its ongoing strategy of investing in young, dynamic talent for the future.
Pedro, who only joined Brighton from Watford last year, impressed with his technical ability, flair, and eye for goal during his time on the south coast. He scored 20 goals in all competitions for Brighton in the 2023/24 season, drawing interest from several top European clubs. However, it was Chelsea who moved decisively to secure his services, continuing their pattern of aggressive recruitment under the current ownership.
Speaking for the first time as a Chelsea player, Pedro expressed his excitement and ambition: "Everyone knows this is a big club with a rich history," he said via Chelsea’s media channels. "They had great players in the past and still do. I'm excited to join, and you know that as a Chelsea player there's only one thing on your mind: winning. I want to help the team as much as I can, score goals, and bring joy to the fans."
The Brazilian’s arrival comes at a crucial time for Chelsea, who are currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup. The London club is set to face Palmeiras Pedro’s former Brazilian club’s biggest rivals in the quarter-finals this Saturday. Although the tournament is already underway, FIFA regulations allow clubs to register new players between June 27 and July 3, meaning Pedro is eligible for selection and could make his debut in the high-stakes knockout match.
His familiarity with South American opponents could be a useful asset for manager Enzo Maresca, who may be tempted to throw the new signing into the mix immediately. Despite having only trained briefly with his new teammates, Pedro's fitness levels are high after completing a full pre-season with Brighton, and he is reportedly eager to hit the ground running.
Pedro’s versatility across the front line able to play as a central striker, second forward, or winger offers Maresca valuable tactical flexibility. With Chelsea’s attack struggling for consistency last season, his arrival could bring a much-needed injection of creativity and sharpness in the final third.
This signing also reinforces Chelsea’s broader recruitment strategy under co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, who have focused heavily on acquiring young, high-ceiling players on long contracts to build a sustainable, elite squad. Pedro joins a growing list of under-25 talents brought in since the ownership change, including the likes of Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Nicolas Jackson.
Brighton, meanwhile, are expected to make a significant profit on the transfer, having paid around €35 million to sign Pedro from Watford just a year ago. The Seagulls continue their impressive record of developing and selling top-tier talent, with club officials already scouting replacements to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League.
Pedro's arrival is likely to create additional competition for places in Chelsea’s frontline, with players like Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, and Nicolas Jackson all vying for starting roles. However, with a demanding fixture schedule ahead and the potential return to European competition on the horizon, squad depth will be crucial.
The Brazilian’s debut, should it come against Palmeiras, would be a symbolic moment a player who started his professional career at Fluminense, now facing a Brazilian giant on the world stage as part of one of England’s most historic clubs. Chelsea fans will be watching closely to see if João Pedro can deliver on his promise and begin repaying the hefty fee with immediate impact.
