The 19-year-old talent has officially signed a contract spanning seven years at Stamford Bridge, bolstering Mauricio Pochettino’s squad and enhancing its capabilities.
Upon finalizing his transfer to Chelsea, Lavia expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m thrilled to become a part of Chelsea and join this captivating project. It’s an extraordinary football club with a rich history, and I’m eagerly anticipating the commencement of my journey here.”
He added, “I’m looking forward to meeting all my new teammates, forging strong connections, and collectively striving for remarkable accomplishments.”
Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, the co-sporting directors, conveyed their satisfaction in welcoming Romeo to Chelsea, remarking, “We extend a warm welcome to Romeo at Chelsea. He exhibited his exceptional qualities last season in the Premier League with Southampton, displaying remarkable maturity despite his youthful age. He has been on our radar for a while.”
“We firmly believe he’s poised to make a substantial impact at Chelsea throughout this campaign and the years ahead,” they continued.
Lavia’s football voyage began at Anderlecht in his homeland of Belgium, where he spent eight years before joining Manchester City at the age of 16.
Demonstrating his potential within the club’s Under-18s and Elite Development Squad, Lavia made his senior debut in September 2021. His inaugural appearance for City took place in the EFL Cup match against Wycombe Wanderers, contributing to a resounding 6-1 victory.
Before his switch to Southampton last summer, Lavia made one more appearance for City’s first team. In a season that culminated in relegation for Southampton, Lavia showcased his prowess in 34 appearances, particularly standing out during an unexpected victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February.
With open arms, Chelsea welcomes Romeo Lavia to the team!
By – Sahiba Suri