Chelsea have officially secured the signing of highly-rated Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £18 million ($25 million), the club confirmed on Monday. The 20-year-old joins the Blues as part of their ongoing push to strengthen the squad ahead of the Club World Cup later this month.
Essugo, who spent last season on loan at Las Palmas, gained valuable experience in Spain despite the club’s unfortunate relegation from La Liga. Known for his physicality and composure in midfield, Essugo is expected to provide fresh energy and depth to Chelsea’s engine room.
A product of Sporting’s renowned academy, Essugo made headlines in March 2021 when he became the youngest-ever player to debut for the club’s first team at just 16 years old. His development has since drawn attention across Europe, with Chelsea beating several clubs to secure his signature.
READ ALSO: Israeli Air Force Intercepts Missile Launched from Yemen
The move for Essugo had been in the works for months, with a parallel agreement in place for another Sporting talent, Geovany Quenda. Quenda, however, will remain with Sporting until the end of the 2025/26 season before completing his £44 million switch to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s transfer activity doesn’t appear to be slowing down. The club is reportedly close to finalizing a £30 million deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as they look to build a younger, more dynamic squad under new leadership.
Essugo is eligible to feature for Chelsea in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, and fans will be eager to see how the young midfielder adapts to English football.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.