Watford have officially announced they have signed Blues midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah on a five-year deal until June 2022.
The 22-year-old spent the 2012/13 season out on loan with Watford and has now made the decision to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis as he seeks regular playing time.
Chalobah has played 97 times for England at different youth levels and played in the Under-21s’ run to the semi-final of the European Championships in Poland last month.
Chelsea were at first keen for Chalobah to sign a new long-term deal ahead of the upcoming campaign, however, the central midfielder turned down their attempts to force through a move to Watford for an initial ÂŁ5m fee.
Watford manager Marco Silva has made a pledge to sign more young English players having already brought Derby midfielder Will Hughes this summer.
See also
Chelsea have transformed! – Redknapp
Chelsea confirm midfielder agreement, It’s a done deal!
Chelsea target out until September due to knee surgery