Chelsea have completed the signing of teenage French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes for £23.5m.
The 19-year-old moves to Stamford Bridge after agreeing on a seven-year contract, with the option of a further year.
The defensive midfielder made 67 senior appearances for Rennes, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League.
After his move was confirmed, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: ‘We’re delighted Lesley is joining Chelsea. He is an impressive young player who has already made his mark in Ligue 1.
‘He has a huge amount of potential and we know he is going to continue to develop and improve. We are pleased that he has joined us in the US (on the club’s pre-season tour) and that he will be able to integrate with the squad quickly.’
Ugochukwu joins Andrey Santos, Nicolas Jackson, Diego Moreira, Angelo Gabirel and Christopher Nkunku as this transfer window’s new signings at Stamford Bridge, though Chelsea continue to be linked with other players.
The youngster was born in Rennes to Nigerian parents. He is the nephew of retired 14-cap Super Eagles defender Onyekachi Apam.
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