Chelsea has officially signed Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano. The left-back becomes the ninth new recruit for the first team at Stamford Bridge this summer.
The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, stepping in to challenge Jorrel Hato after Marc Cucurella transferred to Real Madrid earlier this summer.
Chavarría’s signing indicates a shift in Chelsea’s transfer strategy, as the club aims to integrate more experienced players into the squad, moving away from a previous focus on youth signings.
This summer, Chelsea also added two athletes over the age of 30: Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
Chavarría was instrumental in Rayo Vallecano’s successful 2025-26 campaign, helping the team reach the Conference League final and achieve an eighth-place finish in LaLiga.
Last season, the Spaniard participated in 44 matches across all competitions during his four-year tenure with Rayo Vallecano.
“I am thrilled to begin this new chapter,” Chavarría expressed in a club statement. “This is a dream come true for me as Chelsea is one of the largest clubs in the world. It’s a significant opportunity, and I’m ready to work hard to contribute to the team’s success.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me on this journey, especially my family. Their unwavering support has made this day possible.”
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Chelsea has had an active transfer window this summer, notably signing Morgan Rogers in a record deal for a British player, alongside Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Valentín Barco, and others.
The club has also seen departures, including Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Trevoh Chalobah, and others, while Alejandro Garnacho has moved to Aston Villa on loan.