English Premier League side, Chelsea Football Club has signed Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes for £23.5m.
The 19-year-old moves to Stamford Bridge after agreeing a seven-year contract, with the option of a further year.
Ugochukwu has 67 career appearances at the professional level, mostly as a defensive midfielder for Rennes, who placed fourth in Ligue 1 and so qualified for the Europa League.
After his move was confirmed, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: ‘We’re delighted Lesley is joining Chelsea. He is an impressive young player who has already made his mark in Ligue 1.
‘He has a huge amount of potential and we know he is going to continue to develop and improve. We are pleased that he has joined us in the US (on the club’s pre-season tour) and that he will be able to integrate with the squad quickly.’
