Chelsea have confirmed the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge with defender Marco Palestra signing a long-term contract
14:02, 01 Jul 2026Updated 14:12, 01 Jul 2026
Marco Palestra
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Marco Palestra has signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Marco Palestra on a seven-year contract after paying Atalanta in excess of £43million for the defender.
The Blues watched the 21-year-old's development closely last season during his loan spell at Cagliari and were considering making a move for the versatile defender. Inter Milan, though, for a large part of the summer, were in pole position to sign Palestra.
Talks between Inter and Atalanta over a fee for the Italy international were happening when Chelsea decided to step in and offer more money to the Serie A club. It was then a matter of agreeing personal terms with Palestra, which proved not to be an issue and the deal was completed in swift fashion.
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Palestra has become the first signing - bar a few pre-agreements - of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge. Speaking to the club's media team, the Italian said: "A lot of things convinced me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world.
"I'm very excited to get started. I've felt the energy since the first day Chelsea wanted me. I can't wait to start, see all of the fans, my teammates and the manager.
"We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and manager in Xabi. He has spoken to me about how he wants us to play, which is exciting, and we can't wait to compete in the Premier League."
On leaving Atalanta for Chelsea, Palestra wrote on his Instagram: "I came to Bergamo as a child. Atalanta was much more than a club: it’s where I grew up as a football player and as a person.
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"Here I had the chance to follow my dreams, experiencing emotions I will never forget.Thank you to the Percassi family, the managers, the coaches, the whole staff, my teammates and the fans for believing in me and being part of this extraordinary journey that started eleven years ago. Thank you."