Chelsea sign defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 7, 2024 17:20 IST

Premier League club Chelsea have strengthened their defence by signing Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham. Adarabioyo, who rejected significant interest from Newcastle, has signed a four-year contract, becoming the first addition to the squad under new head coach Enzo Maresca. Maresca, familiar with Adarabioyo from their time together at Manchester City, believes the 26-year-old fits well with his playing style. Adarabioyo is proficient with the ball and his height will be an asset for Chelsea, who struggled with aerial threats last season. To further address these issues, the club has hired Brentford's set-piece coach, Bernardo Cueva.

Since joining Fulham from Manchester City in 2020, Adarabioyo has developed into a reliable Premier League defender, making him a savvy acquisition for Chelsea. The club prioritized signing a center-back after Thiago Silva left on a free transfer. Adarabioyo will compete with Beno®t Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, and Wesley Fofana, recovering from a long-term knee injury. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah, attracting interest from Manchester United, is available for transfer.

"We are delighted to bring Tosin to Chelsea," Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said. "Throughout his career, he has showcased his maturity and defensive qualities and has gained a wealth of experience in the Premier League in recent seasons. He is ready to make the step up to Chelsea and work alongside the talented players in our squad. We look forward to Tosin joining up with us for pre-season."

Chelsea are hoping to improve their fortunes under Maresca after placing sixth in the league last season. "I'm looking forward to starting work with Enzo and I'm sure the boys are too. It's going to be exciting. We're going to play good football and win a lot of games. There are top players in this squad and I'm eager to play with them all," Adarabioyo said.