Chelsea have announced the signing of France international Christopher Nkunku from LB Leipzig.
A club statement confirming Nkunku as a Chelsea player reads;
“Chelsea is delighted to announce Christopher Nkunku will join the club from RB Leipzig ahead of the 2023/24 season.”
Reacting to his unveiling by the club, the 21-year-old expressed his delight to complete a move to the Premier League and his readiness to meet his new teammates and coaches.
The former RB Leipzig player also stated his resolve to get down with the task ahead as he opens a new chapter in one of the strongest football leagues in the world.
”I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,’ said Nkunku. ‘A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.
”Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.’
Nkunku nurtured his football career in France where he made his first professional appearance as a football player. He graduated from Clairefontaine, a top French football academy.
The stars lit the career path of the 21-year-old as he started out with the biggest club in France, PSG.
The France international was a regular in PSG’s starting lineup, making 78 appearances for the club and winning various domestic trophies, including French Ligue 1 title.
In 2019, Christopher Nkunku joined Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. After a slow start to life at Leipzig, the midfield sensation hit the ground running in the 2021/22 season.
He swept the Bundesliga awards after he netted 35 goals for RB Leipzig in all competitions, clinching the Bundesliga Player of the Season and German PFA Player of the Season awards. He also won the DFB-Pokal with Leipzig to cap a sensational campaign with the Bundesliga giants.
This season, Christopher Nkunku has continued in his fine form with RB Leipzig, scoring 16 goals and 4 assists in 25 Bundesliga appearances despite spending months on the sidelines.
Nkunku’s Chelsea move was sealed last summer with a precontract agreement worth £52million.
However, the deal was muted at Chelsea, sparking speculations the deal may likely not happen before it was later confirmed Nkunku has sealed a deal to join the London club this summer months after signing a new contract with RB Leipzig.
After his last game with RB Leipzig, Nkunku took to his social media handle to bid farewell to the club, the fans, and staff as he sets out to join Chelsea.
The contract between Chelsea and Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea to stay at the club till 2029. His contract will take effect from July 1 with new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expected to draft the attacking midfielder into his squad.
Christopher Nkunku’s Chelsea salary
According to reports, Chelsea are offering Christopher Nkunku £195,000 weekly wage, representing a slight increase from his £124,000 weekly wage at RB Leipzig.
Christopher Nkunku’s style of play and Chelsea chances
Christopher Nkunku is an attacking midfielder. He is known for his speed, creativity, dribbling, and prolific goal-scoring skills. With Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking style of football, Christopher Nkunku is expected to play a leading role at the middle of the park in an attacking capacity.
