Chelsea have completed the signing of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk on an 8½-year contract, the club announced during their Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The two clubs agreed a deal worth €100m on Saturday, sources have told ESPN. The package includes a fixed sum of €70m and an additional €30m in add-ons, matching the Ukrainian club’s valuation for the transfer of the 22-year-old.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
“I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea. They’re a huge club, in a fantastic league and a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career,” Mudryk said. “I am delighted to meet my new teammates and look forward to working and learning with Graham Potter and his team.”
Arsenal had been leading the hunt to sign the much-loved Mudryk, who had suggested in several social media posts that he was open to a move to Emirates Stadium.
ESPN reported on Friday that Arsenal have made a third offer for Mudryk. The offer was believed to include around €70m up front with what one source described as ‘significant additions’, although the overall offer is still believed to be below the €100m valuation. euros from Shakhtar.
As well as matching Shakhtar’s valuation, sources have told ESPN that Chelsea are offering Mudryk a better salary and longer contract than what Arsenal offered. Sources have also said that the €30m bonus involved in Chelsea’s deal is easily achievable.
“We are delighted to welcome Mykhailo to Chelsea,” added Chelsea Chairman Todd Boehly and Co-Owner Behdad Eghbali. “He is a hugely exciting talent who we believe will be a tremendous addition to our squad now and in the years to come. He will add even more depth to our attack and we know he will be very warmly welcomed in London. “
Mudryk, who has scored three goals and added two assists in the Champions League group stage this season, becomes the fifth arrival at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
Joao Felix has arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid, following the signings of defender Benoit Badiashile for £34million from Monaco, striker David Datro Fofana from Molde for £10.5million and midfielder 18-year-old Brazilian Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama for a fee in the region of £18million.
Felix received a red card on his Chelsea debut against Fulham on Thursday which means he will miss the next three matches to add to a long list of absentees for a Chelsea side in their worst form since 1996.
Chelsea’s injury list, which is running into double digits, includes strikers Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling and Armando Broja to leave boss Graham Potter short of attacking options.
Potter will be hoping Mudryk can give an immediate boost to a side that have taken just six points from their last nine Premier League games to leave them languishing in 10th position.
