Chelsea have completed the signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a record-breaking £117m deal.
The England international has signed a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge and becomes the most expensive British player of all time, breaking the record set earlier this summer when Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City for £116m.
“I’m so excited,” said Rogers. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.
“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading. That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him [Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso] and I think it’s important for me to be here that I need to understand what the manager’s like, how he is and how he wants to operate.
“It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, and be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here.”
Rogers also said he is “really excited” for a reunion with former Man City team-mate Cole Palmer.
‘I’ve known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England [youth] teams and then when we were both at Man City together. We’ve been speaking about this for a while; we always would love to have played together. So, for it to happen, we’re both excited.
“He’s non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait. I think that’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day. It’s something I’m really excited about.”
The 23-year-old forward now leaves Champions League football with Villa to join Xabi Alonso’s side, who will be without European football in the 2026/27 season.