Chelsea have officially announced the first signing of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge, handing defender Marco Palestra a long-term contract.
The club confirmed that they have signed Marco Palestra on a seven-year deal, having paid Atalanta over £43 million for the young defender.
The Blues closely monitored the 21-year-old’s progress during his loan at Cagliari last season and were contemplating a move for the adaptable defender.
However, for much of the summer, Inter Milan appeared to be the frontrunners for Palestra’s signature.
While negotiations between Inter and Atalanta regarding a fee for the Italian international were ongoing, Chelsea entered with a more lucrative offer to the Serie A side.
Subsequently, reaching an agreement on personal terms with Palestra was straightforward, allowing the deal to be finalized quickly.
Palestra marks the first signing—aside from a few pre-agreements—of the Xabi Alonso era at Stamford Bridge.
In a statement to the club’s media team, the Italian said, “Many factors influenced my decision to join Chelsea, one of the premier clubs globally.
“I am thrilled to begin this journey. I have felt the enthusiasm since the moment Chelsea expressed interest in me. I eagerly anticipate meeting the fans, my teammates, and the manager.
“We possess numerous talented players, a robust squad, and an excellent manager in Xabi. He has shared his vision for our style of play, which is exhilarating, and we are eager to compete in the Premier League.”
Reflecting on his departure from Atalanta, Palestra shared on Instagram, “I arrived in Bergamo as a child. Atalanta was more than just a club: it was where I matured as a footballer and as an individual.”