Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton.
The 19-year-old, who was also a transfer target for Liverpool, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and further strengthens Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. On completing his move to Chelsea, Lavia said: “I’m really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started,” he said, adding: “I can’t wait to meet all my new team-mates and build a chemistry together to achieve great things together.”
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Lavia started his career with Anderlecht in his native Belgium and spent eight years with the club before joining Manchester City at the age of 16. He impressed the club’s U18s and Elite Development Squad and made his senior debut in September 2021. Lavia started in the EFL Cup against Wycombe Wanderers and helped his side to a 6-1 win.
Lavia made one further first-team appearance for City before completing a switch to Southampton last summer. In a campaign that ended in relegation for the Saints, Lavia made 34 appearances. He caught the eye with several impressive performances, including in a surprise Southampton victory at Stamford Bridge in February.