CHELSEA have confirmed the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo as their first acquisition of the summer transfer window.
The centre-back born in London to Nigerian parents joins Chelsea as a free agent after his contract with Fulham expired.
“Chelsea is pleased to announce centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo will join the club ahead of the 2024/25 season,” the club stated on their official website today.
“The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract – which begins on July 1 – and arrives from west London neighbours Fulham.”
Adarabioyo, was once on the books of Manchester City, said he was pleased to link up with Chelsea.
“Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there,” he told the Chelsea website.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.”
Chelsea signing Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart said: “We are delighted to bring Tosin to Chelsea. Throughout his career, he has showcased his maturity and defensive qualities and has gained a wealth of experience in the Premier League in recent seasons.
“He is ready to make the step up to Chelsea and work alongside the talented players in our squad. We look forward to Tosin joining up with us for pre-season.’
Although born in London, Adarabioyo was raised in Manchester and began his career with Manchester City at the age of five. He moved through the club’s youth ranks and regularly captained the Under-18s at 16 years old.
He incidentally made his professional debut in February 2016 at Stamford Bridge playing for City.
Adarabioyo started for a young Manchester City side in the FA Cup and went on to make seven more first-team appearances across the following two campaigns before having season-long loan spells in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers.
Adarabioyo left Manchester City permanently to join Fulham in October 2020 and, in his first campaign as a Premier League regular, he made 33 appearances for the London club.
