Danny Welbeck has joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion as Xabi Alonso adds some much-needed experience to his squad
Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck has joined Chelsea (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Chelsea have announced the signing of Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion. The striker joins the Blues on a two-year contract and will add some valuable experience to Xabi Alonso's squad.
The 35-year-old former Manchester United and Arsenal man has committed his future to the west Londoners until 2028 and is now expected to join up with his new teammates on the pre-season tour. Chelsea recently lost 2-1 to Tottenham in Sydney, Australia.
They will soon jet off to Hong Kong to face Juventus on Wednesday, August 5. Alonso's squad got their summer underway with a 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday.
Confirming his exit, Brighton released a statement which read: "Brighton & Hove Albion can confirm Danny Welbeck has joined Chelsea for undisclosed terms, bringing an end to a successful and memorable six-year spell with the club.
"The former Manchester United, Arsenal and England striker arrived after leaving Watford, in October 2020, quicky becoming an influential figure at the club, on and off the pitch, and making a significant contribution during one of the most successful periods in our history."
Confirming his arrival, a statement from Chelsea read: "Chelsea is delighted to announce the signing of Danny Welbeck from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion. The striker, who has been capped 42 times by England, has signed a contract until 2028 and will join up with Xabi Alonso’s squad during our pre-season tour."
"As well as the quality he brought on the pitch, he was an important leader within the squad and a role model for our younger players. We are grateful for everything he has done for the club and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Upon signing for the club, Welbeck said: "When you hear of the interest from Chelsea, it's something that fills you with such immense pride. Knowing the history of Chelsea, it's a club that wants to win trophies and is pushing to do that every single season.
"I’m really honoured to come to a club of this stature at what feels like a really exciting time. I know a few of the boys already and I’ve had fantastic conversations with the manager and already feel that connection. I’ve got that fire in my belly and I'm ready to give it everything for this club to make everyone at Chelsea, and the supporters, proud."
Alonso and the club's sporting directors are targeting what sources describe as 'ready-made' players this summer, with Chelsea's failed bid for Granit Xhaka earlier this window an indication of the change in recruitment strategy. Chelsea are also in talks over a move for 36-year-old Jordan Henderson.
Brentford are willing to let Henderson leave on a free transfer despite the former Liverpool midfielder having a year remaining on his contract with the west London club. Henderson has 463 Premier League appearances to his name while Welbeck has exactly 400 to his name.
After the win over Western Sydney Wanderers, Alonso was asked specifically about Welbeck and Henderson but the Chelsea manager was reluctant to give too much away. He said: "No, I'm sure that from today until the last day of the transfer [window] there will be a lot of rumours, so to be commenting on all of them.
"It's going to be a hard task, but for sure we need proper balance in terms of qualities, in terms of positions, in terms of balance. We want to have a complete squad and we want to make a good team. For that we have an idea, we have a plan and let's see how we set it up until the start of the Premier League."