Chelsea have confirmed the acquisition of defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham.
The 26-year-old’s contract at Craven Cottage is set to expire at the end of June, and he has committed to a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
While several top clubs, including Manchester United and Newcastle United, were reportedly interested in Tosin, he has chosen to join Chelsea.
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Tosin featured in 25 matches for Fulham during the 2023/24 season, though he came close to departing last summer. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco expressed interest, but no agreement was reached with Fulham.
“Chelsea has always been a club that has performed well and one that has had great players and teams to watch,” Tosin remarked to Chelsea’s official website. “Chelsea have won big trophies and long may it continue.”
“I’m here to win. I want to win. It’s as simple as that really. I just want to keep working and pushing the team and the club in the direction we want to go in. I’m excited to get going,” he added.
During his four-year tenure at Fulham, Tosin participated in 132 matches and notably contributed to their Championship triumph in 2021/22. He had joined Fulham from Manchester City in 2020 after making only eight appearances for the Manchester club.
Tosin’s arrival marks the first signing under the leadership of new head coach Enzo Maresca. Maresca signed a five-year contract with the option for an additional 12 months earlier this week, succeeding Mauricio Pochettino, who mutually parted ways with the club after a single season.
With Tosin’s arrival confirmed, Chelsea are expected to offload academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah this summer. Conor Gallagher, despite expressing his desire to stay, has also been heavily linked with a move, with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly interested in the English midfielder.