Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton in a deal worth £58m.
The 19-year-old signs a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the original deal worth £53 million plus an additional $5 million.
Following Liverpool’s unsuccessful attempts to sign both Lavia and Caicdeo this summer, Chelsea’s first-choice midfield this season will likely consist of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Lavia, a group that Chelsea supporters have already dubbed the “LFC midfield.”
On completing his move to Chelsea, Lavia said: “I’m really happy join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started.
“I can’t wait to meet all my new team-mates and build a chemistry together to achieve great things together.”
Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley added: “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea. He demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age, and is a player we have monitored for some time.
“We believe he is ready to make an impact at Chelsea throughout the current campaign, and in the coming years.”
He broke into Belgium’s first-team setup but was unable to help the Saints stave off relegation. He did not play a minute for them in the Championship ahead of his exit from St Mary’s.
When Chelsea visits London rivals West Ham United on Sunday, Lavia might make his debut.
Welcome to Chelsea, Romeo Lavia! 😁
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 18, 2023