Chelsea have completed the signing of Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton and Hove Albion on a season-long loan.
Chelsea sign BuonanotteMidfielder joins on season-long loanBuonanotte was close to joining LeedsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Buonanotte had been close to sealing a temporary switch to newly-promoted Leeds United, but the Blues have swept in to hijack a deal which will see them pay a £2 million (€2.3m/$2.7m) loan fee for the 20-year-old, according to the BBC. Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez was also linked with a move to Chelsea as Enzo Maresca's side looked to strengthen in the middle of the park before the summer transfer window closed at 19:00 BST for Premier League clubs.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Buonanotte, who has two caps for Argentina, becomes Chelsea’s latest new arrival following the earlier signings of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Alejandro Garnacho, while Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez all joined following pre-existing agreements.
WHAT DID BUONANOTTE SAY
Speaking to Chelsea's official club website, Buonanotte – who spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Leicester City – said: "I’m very happy to join Chelsea. It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m just looking to add as much to the squad as possible, help the team and help the staff."
DID YOU KNOW?
Buonanotte's move to Stamford Bridge is the latest in a series of deals between Chelsea and Brighton, with Pedro, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez having all moved to west London from the Seagulls in recent years. Graham Potter also left Brighton to become Chelsea manager in September 2022, lasting just seven months in the role before being sacked.
