Chelsea sign left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano for initial £16.3m on five-year deal

Transfer completed

Chelsea announced the signing of Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano on 12 August, with the 28-year-old penning a contract running until 2031. British media reported the fee at an initial £16.3 million ($22.02 million) plus £1.7 million in add-ons, while Spanish outlet RTVE placed the total at around €20 million. Chavarria arrived as a direct replacement for Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid in June for approximately €60 million (£51.7 million), leaving Jorrel Hato as the only recognised left-back in Chelsea's senior squad.

The move had been weeks in the making. The Athletic reported on 4 August that Chavarria had agreed personal terms and was set to undergo a medical, with Chelsea and Rayo working towards a compromise on the fee. Chavarria's Rayo contract, which ran to 2030, contained a €50 million release clause. The player had communicated his desire to leave to Rayo once Chelsea's interest became clear.

Player profile

Born in Figueres, Catalonia, Chavarria began his career at his hometown club before moving to UE Olot in 2018. He joined Real Zaragoza in 2020, spending two seasons in Spain's second division before stepping up to La Liga with Rayo Vallecano in 2022. He made 125 appearances for Rayo across all competitions, including 105 in La Liga, and was a regular in the side that finished eighth in two consecutive La Liga seasons and reached last season's UEFA Conference League final, where Rayo lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in Leipzig.

I'm so excited to get started. This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success. There are a lot of people who have helped me get to this moment and I have to thank my family. They have always supported me and today is only possible because of them.

Alonso's squad overhaul

Chavarria is the latest arrival in an extensive recruitment drive under new manager Xabi Alonso, who was appointed after Chelsea's 10th-place finish last season. The club has also signed defenders Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47 million, midfielders Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117 million and Jordan Henderson, and striker Danny Welbeck. Argentina international Valentin Barco, striker Emmanuel Emegha and winger Geovany Quenda have also joined.

The BBC noted that Alonso first noticed Chavarria during Rayo's goalless draw with Real Madrid at Vallecas in November, when the defender produced an accomplished performance against elite attacking players. Alongside Palestra, Chavarria's arrival gives Alonso the option to replicate the wing-back system that helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title in 2024.

What's next

Chelsea play their final pre-season match against Real Sociedad on Saturday before opening their Premier League campaign at Fulham's Craven Cottage on 24 August. Defender Trevoh Chalobah left the club to join Serie A side Como on Sunday, while Mykhailo Mudryk has been cleared to return to first-team activities following a doping ban.