Chelsea have completed the signing of defender Axel Disasi from Monaco.
Last weekend, the west London club agreed a deal for the France international worth in the region of €45million (£38m, $49.2m) and he has now signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Disasi, 25, will provide Chelsea with an option as a right-sided centre-back with Wesley Fofana expected to be out for a considerable period after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“I am so happy to be here, at this big club,” Disasi said on his move. “I am really proud to be able to be a part of this great family, and I hope to achieve very big things here. To win titles. I will do everything I can to achieve those objectives. I am very ambitious.
“I can’t wait to feel the energy of the fans. This is a very good stadium, one where you have a beautiful proximity to the fans. A typical English stadium, I think.
“The fervour of the fans in the Premier League, the atmosphere, the intensity of the games: it is something that excites me.”
Disasi, who played three times for France at the 2022 World Cup, moved to Monaco from Reims in 2020 for €13m.
Chelsea also signed another centre-back from Monaco, Benoit Badiashile, last January. The Ligue 1 club have already moved to replace Disasi this summer, with Mohammed Salisu joining from Southampton.
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Analysis by Patrick Boyland and Thom Harris
Disasi is Monaco’s recruitment strategy writ large.
Signed at 22 from Reims in 2020 for a reported fee of €13million (£12m; $15m), the imposing centre-back has become one of the standout defenders in Ligue 1.
Monaco focus on buying and developing top young talent for resale purposes. In recent seasons, Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Benoit Badiashile(Chelsea) and Sofiane Diop (Nice) have all been sold for sizeable fees.
Blending strong progressive passing with towering physicality, it is no surprise that Disasi has become the latest high-profile player to leave Monaco.
He appears to have all the elements needed to succeed in the Premier League.
(Photo: Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
