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    Chelsea announce first summer signing as Dario Essugo joins from Sporting

    Emma TeeBy No Comments2 Mins Read

    • Chelsea Sign Sporting Prodigy Dário Essugo on Eight-Year Deal, Liam Delap Transfer Imminent

    Chelsea announce first summer signing as Dario Essugo joins from Sporting
    Chelsea announce first summer signing as Dario Essugo joins from Sporting

    Chelsea have signed Dário Essugo, the highly rated 20-year-old midfielder from Sporting CP, on a long-term eight-year contract running until 2033.

    Essugo, who made headlines in 2021 by becoming Sporting’s youngest-ever first-team debutant at just 16, joins the west London club following a season-long loan at Las Palmas.

    Despite the club’s relegation from La Liga, the Portugal youth international impressed across 27 appearances, showcasing maturity and resilience in a difficult campaign.

    The midfielder has represented Portugal at every level from U15 to U21, earning eight caps with the U21s. His move marks the end of his journey with boyhood club Sporting, where he made 23 senior appearances. Essugo also had a loan stint at Chaves, featuring 14 times during the second half of the 2023/24 season.

    Essugo expressed his gratitude to Las Palmas in an emotional Instagram message last week, thanking fans, teammates, and staff, and backing the club to return swiftly to Spain’s top flight.

    He will now link up with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea squad ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in two weeks.

    Meanwhile, Chelsea are on the verge of finalising a £30 million deal for Liam Delap, with the 22-year-old Ipswich Town striker expected to be unveiled imminently after completing his medical.

    Delap enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Premier League last season, netting 12 goals in his debut top-flight season. While Manchester United were also heavily linked with the England U21 star, Chelsea’s Champions League qualification ultimately proved decisive.

    Delap is set to sign a contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until June 2031.

    With Essugo already confirmed and Delap poised to follow, Chelsea’s summer rebuild under Maresca is gathering momentum as the Blues gear up for a return to the elite European stage.

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