Chelsea Confirms Mykhailo Mudryk Deal for Initial €70m

By: Gyang  Dakwo

Chelsea has completed the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk on an eight-and-a-half-year contract, with the winger in attendance at Stamford Bridge for their game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

In a statement, Shakhtar confirmed that Chelsea has agreed to pay €70m, plus €30m in add-ons – the biggest transfer fee of the winter window so far. Mudryk will wear the No 15 shirt at Stamford Bridge.

The Ukraine international, who has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for Shakhtar this season, had been a target for Arsenal, but Chelsea muscled in on negotiations, with Paul Winstanley, the club’s recruitment head, and Behdad Eghbali, the co-owner, flying to Turkey to negotiate the deal on Saturday.

The 22-year-old completed his medical in London on Sunday morning and was introduced to home fans at half-time of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace which Chelsea won 1-0.

“I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea,” said Mudryk. “This is a huge club, in a fantastic league, and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new teammates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”

Todd Boehly, the Chelsea chairman, and Eghbali added: “We are delighted to welcome Mykhailo to Chelsea. He’s a hugely exciting talent who we believe will be a terrific addition to our squad both now and in the years to come. He will add further depth to our attack and we know he’ll get a very warm welcome to London.”

Chelsea has been busy this month, with Mudryk joining João Félix, Andrey Santos, Benoît Badiashile, and David Datro Fofana among the new arrivals as the club hierarchy looks to strengthen the squad.