Chelsea announced the signing of Romeo Lavia with a video featuring the club’s former forward Eden Hazard.
A club statement confirming the completion of the deal for Lavia followed the official unveiling of the player.
In peculiar unveiling video shared on the club’s social media handle, Romeo Lavia could be seen face-timing former Chelsea star Eden Hazard, confirming to the Belgian he has joined the Blues.
Eden Hazard asked Lavia if he is Blue or what. The former Southampton midfielder then responded confirming he has joined the club and is right at the training ground to taste action with the Blues.
Eden Hazard, who shares nationality with Romeo Lavia, is said to have influenced Lavia’s decision to join Chelsea from Southampton.
Speaking on his unveiling as a Chelsea player, Lavia said: ‘I’m really happy to join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started.’
Futballnews understands Chelsea had to fight off the competition from top Premier League rivals, Liverpool, in the bid to secure the services of the Belgian youngster.
Liverpool got entangled with Chelsea in a bidding war for two fast-rising midfielders in the Premier League – Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
The Reds lost the race for Moises Caicedo before also losing again on their pursuit for Romeo Lavia.
Just like Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia turned down Liverpool’s advances and opted to join Chelsea – a decision which was said to be heavily influenced by Eden Hazard.
Chelsea will pay Southampton £58m, including add-ons for the deal. Lavia has now become the eighth new signing by Chelsea this summer as Todd Boehly continues in his unbridled transfer spending which began last summer since he took over the club.
This summer, the Blues’ new addition include Angelo Gabriel from Santos, Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes, Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, Robert Sanchez from Brighton, Axel Disasi from Monaco, and Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
Romeo Lavia has penned a long term seven-year contract with Chelsea with reports he could be available to start for the Blues in Sunday’s Premier League clash against West Ham.
Lavia plays as a defensive midfielder, joining Chelsea’s other two defensive midfield signings this summer – Moises Caicedo and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Despite suffering relegation with Southampton to English’s second tier last season, Romeo Lavia was tipped as one of the most promising young midfielders in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old, who was groomed in Manchester City academy was on his first season with the Saints last season. He joined the club from Manchester City after struggling for first team action with City.
Lavia was promoted to Manchester City first team in 2021 after an impressive spell with the club’s youth but he did not taste action under Pep Guardiola since his break-in.
He joined Southampton in 2022 for £10m, signing a five-year contract. He made his debut of the Saints on 22 August 2022 in a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and scored his first goal in the next game on 30 August 2022 against Chelsea.
Romeo Lavia joined Southampton to relegation as the Saints ended up being relegated after finishing bottom of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
His move to Chelsea has seen the Belgian youngster, who has won only one cap with Belgium national team, return to the Premier League and may feature for the Blues alongside Moises Caicedo who is also set to make his debut for the club in the game against West Ham on Sunday.
