Danny Welbeck has finalized his move to Chelsea from Brighton, and is expected to undergo a medical examination at Stamford Bridge, according to various reports.
The 35-year-old forward will then travel to Hong Kong to meet his new teammates during their preseason tour’s second leg, having secured a two-year contract, as reported by the Press Association.
Welbeck, who previously played for Arsenal and Manchester United, emerged as an unexpected target for Chelsea after netting 13 Premier League goals in 37 appearances last season, marking the highest tally of his career.
This acquisition raises the possibility of departures from Chelsea, especially with the futures of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson currently uncertain.
Delap is currently seen as the backup striker behind João Pedro, who had a breakout season last year, scoring 15 league goals and achieving a nine-minute hat trick in Tuesday’s 6-4 friendly victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Meanwhile, Jackson, who was on loan at Bayern Munich last season, has garnered interest from Aston Villa.
Delap, a former player for the Manchester City academy, had been anticipated to receive another year to justify his position after a lackluster debut season following his £30 million transfer from Ipswich a year ago; however, this latest development raises questions regarding his future.
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Welbeck’s signing is a significant step in Chelsea’s revamped transfer strategy, focusing on acquiring more experienced players under the guidance of manager Xabi Alonso.
With more than 400 appearances in the Premier League, the arrival of the former England international marks a clear shift from the club’s recent approach of targeting younger, less experienced talent.
Welbeck signed a one-year contract extension with Brighton in March.
Additionally, Alonso has signed Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha following his transfer from sister club Strasbourg, along with 20-year-old Marc Guiu, who has seen limited playtime in the league since joining from Barcelona in 2024.
PA contributed to this report.