Chelsea completes transfer of Joao Felix from Athletico on permanent deal

Thursday, 22 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Chelsea have completed the signing of Portuguese winger Joao Felix after reaching an agreement with Atletico Madrid on a €50 million fee, plus €10 million in add-ons.

The 24-year old has returned to Chelsea, where he spent less than six months on loan from the Colchoneros, scoring four goals in 20 games.

Felix spent last season on loan at Barcelona where he scored 10 goals in 44 appearances.

"I'm really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can't wait to get started. I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice." Felix said. 

"I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I'd love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I'm excited to be back."

"He's a good player and the club already knows him from two years ago. The good thing about Joao is he can play different positions with us - inside, as a No 9 and outside."Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca said in a press conference. 

The signing of Dani Olmo and Barcelona's physical problems made Felix an impossible scenario and the Portuguese international returned to Atletico after a Euro 2024 in which he had little space to show himself.

In Madrid, he was utilised during pre-season and even impressed, but the desire of all parties was to end this link that didn't bear as much fruit as expected.

So the deal between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid to sell Conor Gallagher to the Colchoneros opened up space for the Portuguese, who is heading to the Blues' crowded dressing room to finally find his place.

At Stamford Bridge, he'll be joined by compatriots Pedro Neto and Renato Veiga.

At Atletico, Felix made a total of 131 appearances, scored 34 goals and assisted 16 times.

Chelsea have been busy on the transfer market signing 13 players so far while they have removed Raheem sterling and Ben Chilwell from the team's project. 

Coach Maresca has noted that he will work with a project of 21 players instead of the 44 in the team.