Chelsea sign Cucurella from Brighton

Chelsea have announced the signing of Spanish left-back, Marc Cucurella, from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth in excess of £60m.

Cucurella joined Chelsea on a six-year deal.

Announcing the signing of the 24-year-old defender via a statement on Friday, Chelsea chairman, Todd Boehly, said: “Marc is an elite defender of proven Premier League quality and he further strengthens our squad going into the new season.

“We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we’re delighted Marc will be a part of the present and future at Chelsea.”

According to the club statement, co-controlling owners, Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, said: “We’re very excited to bring Marc to Chelsea and he is another key part of our squad building as we enter the new season.

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“We’re all looking forward to getting started on the pitch now, and Marc only adds to that feeling. We welcome him to the club!”

The Spaniard made his senior international debut last summer, his sole appearance for La Roja to date, and picked up a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics the following month with the under-23 team.

Manchester City tried to sign Cucurella but were unable to meet Brighton’s valuation of the Spain international.

The transfer of Cucurella is Brighton’s record sale, surpassing the £50m Arsenal paid for centre-back, Ben White, last summer.

It is also a record-equalling fee for a full-back, matching the £60m deal City agreed to bring Joao Cancelo from Juventus to the Etihad in 2019.

The Star