Chelsea have completed the signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a record-breaking £117m deal.
Rogers has signed a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge and becomes the most expensive British player of all time, breaking the record set earlier this summer when Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City for £116m.
“I’m so excited,” said Rogers. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.
“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading. That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him [Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso] and I think it’s important for me to be here that I need to understand what the manager’s like, how he is and how he wants to operate.
“It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, and be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here.”
‘I’ve known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England [youth] teams and then when we were both at Man City together. We’ve been speaking about this for a while; we always would love to have played together. So, for it to happen, we’re both excited.
“He’s non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait. I think that’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day. It’s something I’m really excited about.”
Arsenal had previously identified Rogers as their top forward target this summer but the Gunners were unwilling to match the fee that Chelsea agreed.
The 23-year-old forward now leaves Champions League football with Villa to join Xabi Alonso’s side, who will be without European football in the 2026/27 season.
