Soccer

Joao Felix excited by Chelsea challenge after completing loan move from Atlético

‘Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world and I hope to help the team reach their objectives, so I am very, very happy’

Joao Felix has completed his loan move to Chelsea. Photograph: Getty Images
Wed Jan 11 2023 - 13:29

Chelsea have announced the loan signing of Portugal forward Joao Felix on loan from Atlético Madrid until the end of the season.

As part of the deal, British media report Chelsea will pay a loan fee of around £9 million and also cover the player’s £5.3m wages.

“Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world and I hope to help the team reach their objectives, so I am very, very happy to be here and very excited to play at Stamford Bridge,” Felix said on the Chelsea website.

The arrival of the Portugal international, who was also the subject of interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, comes with Blues manager Graham Potter in the grip of an injury crisis.

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Chelsea had 10 first-team players unavailable for last Sunday’s meek 4-0 surrender to Manchester City in the FA Cup.

Felix became the fifth most expensive player in the world when Atlético paid £113m to bring him in from Benfica as a 19-year-old in 2019, but his performances for the LaLiga side have not consistently justified the fee and it is hoped he can rediscover his form in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old also featured in Portugal’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar last month, with him scoring in the 3-2 victory against Ghana in the group stage.

Atlético confirmed Felix had extended his contract with them for one more season, until June 2027.

Felix made a total of 131 appearances for Atletico, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists.

“From Atletico Madrid we wish Joao Felix every success in this new professional stage,” the La Liga club said in a statement.