Chelsea announced today, Saturday, the signing of veteran Senegalese international defender Kalidou Koulibaly to a four-year deal from Napoli in a deal valued at $40 million.
The Senegal captain, who was crowned African champion at the beginning of the year, became the second player to be part of the West London team, which was acquired by the American “consortium” (commercial coalition) led by businessman Todd Boehle, after the English international striker Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. .
We present to your attention the second signing of this summer! ????#CoulibalyChelsea
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 16, 2022
In London, Koulibaly, 31, will face fellow international goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and make up for the departure of Germany’s Antonio Rüdiger on a free contract to Real Madrid, the European champions from Spain, and Anders Christensen on a free contract. Also in Barcelona.
Coulibaly said Mendy and current Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, who played for Napoli from 2014 to 2018, convinced him to move to Stamford Bridge.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the Premier League,” Koulibaly told the Chelsea website while signing for the London club. “Chelsea called me in 2016 but it didn’t work out. This time when they met me, I accepted the offer) because they really wanted me to play for them.”
The centre-back has spent the last eight seasons at Napoli, where he won the Coppa Italia in 2020, with his side in contention for the title.
The French-born player made his professional debut with France’s Metz before joining Belgian side Genk between 2012 and 2014.
Source: AFP.