Izuchukwu Okosi
Premier League club Chelsea have completed the signing of French youth international of Nigerian descent Lesley Ugochukwu from French Ligue 1 side Rennes.
The duration of the midfielder is for seven years with all personal terms agreed on Wednesday albeit it is expected that the Blues may loan him back to his former club for a season’
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Blues signed the youngster from French Ligue 1 outfit Rennes on a seven year contract. All personal terms and fees have been concluded.
The youngster who is eligible to play for Nigeria’s senior national team due to his parents, has already joined his Chelsea teammates in the U.S.A as they embark on a preseason tour.
Chelsea’s Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley sang Ugochukwu’s praises.
“We’re delighted Lesley is joining Chelsea,” Chelsea FC.com quoted the duo as saying
“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 U.S and that he will be able to integrate with the squad fully.”
Ugochukwu notched one assist in 26 French Ligue 1 appearances last season. Rennes finished fourth in the French League last season with 68 points after 38 games.
Chelsea were 12th at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season with 44 points from 38 games in the top flight.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
