Lifelong Chelsea fan Moises Caicedo has sealed his move from Brighton and Hove Albion to Stamford Bridge after months of negotiations between all parties involved.
The Blues paid a British record £115 million to the Seagulls for the 21-year-old Ecuador international after having to outbid Liverpool who entered the fray in the last week. The player has been unveiled and is set to join the rest of the squad in training ahead of their trip to West Ham United on matchday 2 of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Before that, he spoke to the Chelsea fans via the club’s official media about his love for the club which dates back to his childhood and his ambitions now that he is wearing a Chelsea shirt.
He started by praising Chelsea heroes Claude Makélélé and N’Golo Kanté for helping to form him into the player he is today and how he intends to keep fighting for the shirt the way they both did in their time at the club.
“Makélélé and Kante were an inspiration to me,” the 21-year-old said to the Chelsea media. “They were so humble on the pitch. I think I can say we share similar qualities, but they were better. But now I am going to give everything for this club because they did so much for me.
“When I was a kid, I supported Chelsea and used to watch the games. Now it is amazing to be here. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I can’t wait to start with the guys, to give my best and to write my own story.”
The Ecuadorian also spoke about the role of his family in his story. The official announcement by Chelsea of his signing was a recreation of a picture he took with his mother in the early days of his football career. He was wearing a Chelsea shirt in the picture and in the recreation which was shot at Cobham, Chelsea’s academy and training centre.
Asked about how his family have supported his career to date, Caicedo said: “My family is the most important thing,” he said. “They are everything for me. It is amazing to share this moment with my Mum, and my girlfriend. I am even happier to be here with them.
“They are there for me in bad moments, and that’s why in the good moments I like to be with them. They have always supported me in every step. That’s amazing for me. They are always on my mind, even in every training session and every game. I’m a humble guy who always wants the best for his family.”
Caicedo has signed his Chelsea contract which is a long-term deal like most of the club’s other businesses. The Ecuador international signed for eight years and Brighton also reserved a sell-on clause, said to be a significant part of the deal.
The player’s former club, Independiente del Valle, will also get a significant part of the transfer fee which Brighton received as part of their own sell-on clause.
