On Wednesday, Joao Pedro made a high-profile move to Chelsea from Brighton, marking another significant investment by the Premier League club’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. This transfer, reportedly valued at 60 million pounds ($82 million), includes a contract that ties the Brazilian forward to Chelsea until 2033.
Joao Pedro expressed his enthusiasm upon joining Chelsea, acknowledging the club’s rich history and its impressive roster of past and present talents. He stated, “Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history. They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join, and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing — win.”
The Brazilian international has promptly linked up with Chelsea’s squad for the Club World Cup in the United States, where he is set to make his debut in Friday’s quarterfinal match against Palmeiras.
Joao Pedro becomes Chelsea’s fifth key acquisition this offseason, following the signings of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Kendry Paez, and Mamadou Sarr. Since Boehly and Clearlake became owners in 2022, Chelsea, a six-time English champion, has invested over $1 billion in new transfer deals, including record-breaking fees for players such as Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
At just 23 years old, Joao Pedro shines with an impressive record, having scored 10 goals in 32 appearances for Brighton last season and achieving a total of 30 goals throughout his tenure with the club. His transfer represents one of the recent significant transactions between Brighton and Chelsea, along with previous deals involving Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez, and Moises Caicedo.
Brighton stands to benefit considerably from this move, securing a substantial profit after initially acquiring Joao Pedro from Watford for 30 million pounds ($41 million) in 2023. Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton’s coach, commented, “This is a good move for all parties. It’s an excellent deal for the club, and a good return on a significant investment in an area of the pitch where we have a lot of competition and are already well served in terms of our attacking talent.”
Joao Pedro’s transfer strengthens Chelsea as they gear up for a return to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus. Under the guidance of coach Enzo Maresca, Chelsea secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season and won the UEFA Conference League. The club remains optimistic about challenging for its first Premier League title since the acquisition by its American owners, with aspirations bolstered by its appearance in the Club World Cup.