Chelsea have confirmed the arrival of Joao Felix on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid, with the Portugal international securing a return to the Blues.
The 24-year-old spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Chelsea from Atletico, scoring four times in 20 appearances for the London club in all competitions.
Felix spent last season on loan with Barcelona, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists in 44 appearances for the Catalan outfit, and he had been expected to return to the La Liga giants this summer.
However, Chelsea have recently been working on a return for the Portuguese, and his move to Enzo Maresca's side on a permanent basis has now been officially confirmed.
"Chelsea is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. Joao, an established forward for the Portugal national team, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join up with his new teammates for training in the coming days," read a statement on the club's official website.
Chelsea is where he belongs. 🏡
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 21, 2024
We are delighted to announce the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. 🇵🇹🔵 pic.twitter.com/k8jF2PNSgV
Chelsea sign Felix from Atletico on a seven-year contract
"I'm really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can't wait to get started. I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice," Felix told the club's official website.
"I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I'd love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I'm excited to be back."
Meanwhile, in an interview with Chelsea's official media team, he said: "It's a chance for me to find a home. After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place. There is no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.
"It was a little bit of a lot of things that made me want to come back: the project, the club, the league, the fans, the time I spent here that I loved. I felt really good when I was here, despite the results we had. I'm really happy to be back.
"I've developed as a player in a lot of ways: the perception of the game, and the spaces the ball can arrive easily where I can make more impact. I try to figure it out by watching some videos of me of my games.
© Reuters
Felix wants to "find a home" at Chelsea
"I've kind of changed since I was last here. I'm 24 now. I'll be 25 in November. I feel like I grew up as a player. That's normal with age. I'm more prepared for the Premier League.
"I feel like my best years are ahead of me. I have no doubt about that. The best years are still to come. And this year is going to be a good year, because now I am permanently at home, and I can enjoy home.
"I just want to give my best to the team and the club; goals, assists. This season I want to play as many games as I can, help the team and the club be on top of world football again. Chelsea needs to be up there. This season we have to do a big season, and I am going to do my best to help."
Felix has left Atletico with a record of 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 matches, and he could make his second Premier League debut for Chelsea in Sunday's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The fee for the forward is undisclosed, but Conor Gallagher has moved in the opposite direction, with the midfielder's move to the Spanish capital finally being confirmed.
Chelsea are still said to be interested in signing Victor Osimhen from Napoli despite Felix becoming the team's 10th acquisition of the current transfer window.
