Chelsea has announced the signing of Basel’s promising Portuguese defender Renato Veiga.

The Blues announced the signing on their website on Friday.

“Chelsea is pleased to confirm the signing of Renato Veiga from FC Basel.

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“Capable of playing in defence and midfield, the 20-year-old has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, which includes a further one-year option, and will join Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad for pre-season training.

Speaking after finalising his move to Chelsea, Veiga told the club website:

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be here,’ Veiga explained.

“This is one of the biggest clubs in England – the biggest for me – and I’m just really excited to get started.”

Renato, the son of former Cape Verde international player Nelson Veiga, spent the majority of his formative years in the Sporting CP academy.

He made his Sporting B debut in September 2020 and spent the next two years with the club, gaining experience in Portuguese football’s third tier.

Veiga joined Bundesliga club Augsburg on loan in January 2023. He spent seven months in Germany, playing 13 games in the Bundesliga before joining Basel.

Veiga quickly established himself as a fixture in the Basel squad, making 26 appearances in all competitions during the 2023/24 season.

He also played in all seven of Portugal’s U-21 European Championship qualifiers, six of which were victories.