Chelsea confirm signing of Danny Welbeck from Brighton

Chelsea have completed the signing of veteran striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal reportedly worth £5 million ($6.7 million).

The 35-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Blues and is expected to join Xabi Alonso’s squad during the club’s pre-season preparations.

Welbeck’s arrival marks a departure from Chelsea’s recent transfer strategy of targeting younger players with long-term development and resale potential. It is also the first time the club has paid a transfer fee for a player older than 26 since signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona in 2022, when he was 33.

Speaking after the move, Welbeck said Chelsea’s interest was a source of great pride and described the club as one that is always striving to win trophies.

“I’m really honoured to join a club of this stature at such an exciting time. I already know some of the players, and my conversations with the manager have been very positive,” he said.

New Chelsea manager Alonso is understood to have prioritised adding experience to his squad following the club’s disappointing 10th-place finish in the Premier League last season.

The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward enjoyed an impressive campaign with Brighton, scoring 13 goals in 37 league appearances last season after netting 10 goals in the previous campaign. Welbeck has also earned 42 caps for England.

His signing is expected to increase competition in Chelsea’s attack and could cast doubt over the futures of Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.

Welbeck becomes the latest player to move from Brighton to Chelsea in recent years, following João Pedro, Moisés Caicedo, Robert Sánchez and Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea have been active in the transfer market this summer, having already signed Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra.
Welbeck leaves Brighton after six years at the club, having joined from Watford in 2020. He scored 51 goals and provided 18 assists, becoming the Seagulls’ all-time leading top-flight goalscorer.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom praised Welbeck’s contribution, describing him as a key figure both on and off the pitch whose leadership and experience were invaluable to the club.