Chelsea have completed the signing of Spanish left-back Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano as the Premier League club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season.
The 28-year-old has agreed to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge, becoming Chelsea’s ninth first-team signing of the summer transfer window.
Chavarría is expected to provide competition for Jorrel Hato at left-back following Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid earlier in the summer.
His arrival also highlights a shift in Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, with the club increasingly adding experienced players after previously focusing heavily on younger talents.
Chelsea have already brought in players aged over 30, including Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, during the current transfer window.
Chavarría enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 campaign with Rayo Vallecano, helping the Spanish side reach the Conference League final and finish eighth in La Liga.
He made 44 appearances across all competitions last season and spent four years with Rayo before making the move to England.
Speaking through Chelsea’s official media channels, Chavarría expressed his excitement about joining the club.
“I’m so excited to get started,” Chavarría told club media. “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.”
Chelsea have remained highly active in the transfer market, also recruiting Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra and Valentín Barco, among others.
The London club have also seen several players leave this summer, including Cucurella, Andrey Santos and Trevoh Chalobah, while Alejandro Garnacho has joined Aston Villa on loan.
