Romeo Lavia-Chelsea sign Belgium midfielder from Southampton in £58m deal
Chelsea have completed the signing of Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton for an initial £53m.
The 19-year-old has signed a seven-year contract in a deal which could rise by a further £5m with add-ons.
Lavia made 34 appearances in all competitions last season but could not help prevent Saints' relegation from the Premier League.
"I'm really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project," said Lavia.
"It's an amazing football club with a great history and I'm really excited to get started.
"I can't wait to meet all my new team-mates and build a chemistry to achieve great things together."
Having come through the youth system at Anderlecht, Lavia moved to Manchester City in 2020 after being spotted at a tournament in Belgium attended by Pep Guardiola.
The youngster made just two senior appearances at City - in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup - as he struggled to break into the club's first team and joined Saints in July 2022 for £10.5m.
City will collect 20% (£10.6m) of the initial £53m fee received by Southampton because of a sell-on clause.
Olise rejects Chelsea, pens new Crystal Palace deal - chairman
Michael Olise's proposed move to Chelsea has collapsed after the winger chose to sign a new four-year contract with Crystal Palace.
Chelsea had triggered a £35 million ($44.7m) release clause in the 21-year-old's previous deal but that has been superseded by a new agreement that Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed on Thursday.
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