Chelsea have completed the signing of Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano, with the left-back becoming the ninth new addition to the first-team at Stamford Bridge this summer. Pep Chavarria has joined Chelsea from Rayo Vallecano on a five-year contract for a fee understood by the Press Association to be £16.3 million plus £1.7m in add-ons. An agreement was finalised last week for the 28-year-old to move to Stamford Bridge as the club’s squad overhaul continues under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Blues have been in talks with LaLiga oufit Rayo over a deal for the left-back for a number of weeks as two clubs struggled to agree a financial package. But a breakthrough in negotiations was made last week and a medical booked. The Blues then began club-to-club negotiations to fill the void left by Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid in a deal worth £51.7m. It's said that Chelsea were initially quoted €15m (£12.8m), but the Spanish outfit increased the asking price to €25m (£21.3m); they have since found a middle ground.
The Spaniard featured in 44 games in all competitions for Rayo Vallecano last season and spent four years at the club.
Chavarria will compete with Jorrel Hato for a starting spot, following Marc Cucurella’s exit, with new right-back Marco Palestra on the opposite flank. ”I’m so excited to get started,” the 28-year-old told the club’s official website. “This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success. “There are a lot of people who have helped me get to this moment and I have to thank my family. They have always supported me and today is only possible because of them.”
After a dismal 2025-26 campaign that saw the team finish down in 10th, the club’s hierarchy acknowledged a recruitment shift was needed, moving away from inexperienced players towards those who can help challenge for the title. However, Chelsea have also spent big on younger players as they broke their transfer record in July to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m, while Argentina international Valentin Barco joined from Strasbourg.