Pep Chavarria joins Chelsea on six-year deal

Chelsea have completed the signing of Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from La Liga club Rayo Vallecano.

The Premier League side announced the transfer on Wednesday, confirming that the 28-year-old defender has signed a contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2031.

Chavarria is expected to join his new teammates at the club’s Cobham training centre ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The Spaniard described his move to Chelsea as a major step in his career and said he was ready to work hard to help the club achieve its goals.

“I’m so excited to get started. This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success.

“There are a lot of people who have helped me get to this moment and I have to thank my family. They have always supported me and today is only possible because of them,” he said.

Chavarria began his career with hometown club UE Figueres in the Spanish fourth tier, making his senior debut at the age of 18 against CF Peralada.

He developed into an attack-minded left-back during his two seasons with the club before joining third-tier side UE Olot in 2018.

Chavarria quickly established himself as a regular at Olot and made 52 appearances before earning a move to Real Zaragoza in Spain’s second tier in August 2020.

He made his professional debut for Zaragoza the following month, starting in a 2-2 draw against Las Palmas.

After two seasons with Zaragoza, Chavarria stepped up to La Liga when he joined Rayo Vallecano in August 2022.

Chavarria spent the next four seasons with Rayo, becoming an important member of the Madrid-based club’s squad.

Chelsea said he helped Rayo achieve back-to-back eighth-place finishes in La Liga over the past two seasons, as well as reach a European final.

He made 44 appearances last season as Rayo reached the UEFA Conference League final, where they lost narrowly to Crystal Palace.

Chelsea will now hope Chavarria’s experience in La Liga and European football can strengthen their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

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