Valentin Barco has completed his anticipated move to Chelsea (Image: Simon Dack)
Valentin Barco has completed his anticipated move to Chelsea (Image: Simon Dack)
Valentin Barco is the latest former Albion player to sign for Chelsea.
The Argentina international has signed from sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year deal.
Albion made great efforts to bring Barco to the Amex from Boca Juniors.
But he made just six Premier League appearances and went on loan to Sevilla before moving on to France.
Barco was not involved as Strasbourg played Albion in a friendly on Saturday.
While the number of player transfers from Albion to Chelsea will again come under the spotlight, this is also the Blues' 13th player transaction with Strasbourg since the start of last season.
Barco has spent some time playing in central midfield since leaving the Seagulls and went to the World Cup with Argentina.
He was involved in a heated exchange with England’s Jude Bellingham immediately after his side’s 2-1 semi-final win in Atlanta, with Bellingham appearing to clip Barco around the head.
The unused substitute had earlier run on to the pitch to celebrate after Enzo Fernandez had equalised.
Like Danny Welbeck, whose two-year deal was confirmed on Saturday, Barco is expected to join up shortly with his new team-mates on their tour of Australia and Hong Kong.
Albion play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 30, which could be Welbeck’s home debut.
Seagulls fans will have to wait until April to welcome the West London outfit to the Amex.