Sports

Chelsea Sign French International Defender Badiashile

Chelsea signed France international defender Benoit Badiashile from Ligue 1 side Monaco on Thursday for a fee believed to be just under 40 million euros ($42 million).

The 21-year-old central defender signed a “seven-and-a-half-year contract”, according to a statement from Chelsea.

Badiashile has been a pivotal figure at Monaco, helping the club finish third in Ligue 1 for the past two seasons.

He was handed his international debut by Didier Deschamps last September, although he did not make the World Cup squad.

“At 6ft 4in, Badiashile is a dominant defender in the air but equally comfortable with the ball at his feet, capable of playing short passes out from the back or switching the play with longer diagonals,” read the Chelsea statement.

“His blistering speed is a key attribute and he has experience in both a back four and back three at club level.”

Badiashile said he could not wait to “start playing in the best league in the world.”

The young Frenchman could partner the vastly more experienced Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly, who Chelsea signed for a reported fee of £33 million ($38 million) last July.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said they were delighted to have secured the signature of one of Europe’s most promising defenders.

“He’s an excellent young player who has quickly established a strong reputation for himself and has a huge amount of experience for his young age,” they said in a joint statement.

“We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead.”

Badiashile will not be involved in Chelsea’s clash at home to Manchester City on Thursday as they try and make up ground on the top four.

Chelsea are 10 points off the Champions League places following a New Year’s Day draw at Nottingham Forest and have won only one of their last seven matches.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

German Consulate Hosts Unity Day In Lagos as Diplomatic Ties Bloom

The 34th anniversary of German Unity celebrated in Lagos, was hosted by Consul General Weert…

43 mins ago

Matt Gaetz To Exit Congress Following Withdrawal As DOJ Nominee Amid Controversy

Matt Gaetz has said he will not return to Congress after withdrawing as Trump’s DOJ…

3 hours ago

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Oluyede As Chief Of Army Staff

President Tinubu has sought Senate confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff, citing…

4 hours ago

Netanyahu Risks Arrest in UK as ICC Issues Warrant Against Him For War Crimes

Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…

6 hours ago

Second Australian Teen Dies from Suspected Methanol Poisoning in Laos

A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…

6 hours ago

Simon Ekpa Arrested, Denies Being IPOB Leader + Atiku Says Tinubu’s Loans Are Bone-Crushing – Trending With Ojy Okpe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…

7 hours ago