Chelsea sign Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia, Southampton collects 20% of initial fee
Posted : 18 August 2023
Chelsea has finalized the acquisition of Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton for an initial £53 million transfer fee, accompanied by a seven-year contract. The deal also includes potential add-ons that could increase the total to £58 million.
Although only 19 years old, Lavia gained significant experience last season, making 34 appearances across various competitions for Southampton. Unfortunately, his contributions weren't enough to prevent the team's relegation from the Premier League.
Lavia expressed his enthusiasm about joining Chelsea, emphasizing his excitement to be part of the club's remarkable history and its promising project. He looks forward to forming strong bonds with his new teammates and working collectively towards achieving success.
Notably, Liverpool also expressed interest in Lavia, yet Southampton turned down a bid of approximately £46 million, which included add-ons, from the Reds earlier this month.
Lavia is the second player to opt for Chelsea over Liverpool recently, following Moises Caicedo's move from Brighton for a fee potentially rising to £115 million, which could set a new British record.
Having begun his journey through Anderlecht's youth system, Lavia caught the eye of Manchester City during a Belgian tournament in 2020, leading to his transfer to the club. Despite making only two senior appearances for City, he struggled to establish himself within their first team and subsequently moved to Southampton in July 2022 for £10.5 million.
Southampton acknowledged Lavia's dedication and professionalism during his brief tenure with the club, extending best wishes for his promising future. Lavia also conveyed his gratitude to Southampton fans for their support, expressing his affection for the club and its members.
ADD A COMMENT :
Hot Topics
User name is required Email Id is required Comment is required
ADD A COMMENT :