Although Chelsea was banned from signing new contracts this year, the Premier League club managed to keep Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić thanks to his loan from Real Madrid.
It's official - English Premier League club Chelsea have officially signed Mateo Kovačić for 45 million euro, which should be the club’s only signing this summer, HRT reports on July 1, 2019.
.@Mateo_Kova23 is here to stay! ?
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2019
The Croatian representative has thus signed a five-year contract, which will take him through 2024. Despite Chelsea's transfer ban, Kovačić was able to sign as he spent the last season at Stamford Bridge on loan from Real Madrid. Kovačić’s transfer has set a new record for the biggest transfer of a Croatian footballer. With this signing, Kovačić has broken his own record of 28 million euro, which is what Real Madrid paid to sign him from Inter in August 2015.
"I really enjoyed my season on loan with Chelsea, I feel comfortable at the club and like London and the Premier League very much. I am very happy to be able to join permanently. "We had a successful year, winning the Europa League and I hope I can make a big contribution in the coming seasons," said Kovačić.
"Mateo proved that he is a capable player last season and we are delighted to be able to welcome him on a permanent basis. “He already possesses extensive experience at club and international level and we are sure he will be a big success with Chelsea over the next five years,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.
Kovačić played 51 games for Chelsea last season and achieved 92 percent in successful passes. He won the Europa League with the Premier League club and in the next season, he has a good chance at becoming one of the club’s leading players.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
