Pep Chavarria has joined Chelsea from Rayo Vallecano on a five-year contract for a fee understood by the Press Association to be £16.3 million plus £1.7m in add-ons.
An agreement was finalised last week for the 28-year-old to move to Stamford Bridge as the club’s squad overhaul continues under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The left-sided defender, who featured in last season’s Conference League final against Crystal Palace, is expected to battle with Jorrel Hato for the left full-back role following Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid.
He told Chelsea’s website: “I’m so excited to get started. This is a dream for me as Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“It is a big opportunity but I am prepared and will work hard to help the team achieve success.”
Despite his age, the defender possesses just four seasons of top-flight experience, having moved from Segunda Division outfit Real Zaragoza in 2022.
His signing continues a pattern of adding experienced players under Alonso, following 35-year-old striker Danny Welbeck’s arrival from Brighton and 36-year-old Jordan Henderson joining the Blues after leaving Brentford.
Chavarria is the Chelsea’s third defensive signing this summer, following right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta in July and Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace earlier this month. Meanwhile, England international Trevoh Chalobah left Chelsea to join Serie A side Como on Sunday.
After a dismal 2025-26 campaign that saw the team finish down in 10th, the club’s hierarchy acknowledged a recruitment shift was needed, moving away from inexperienced players towards those who can help challenge for the title.
However, Chelsea have also spent big on younger players as they broke their transfer record in July to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m, while Argentina international Valentin Barco joined from Strasbourg.
Striker Emmanuel Emegha and winger Geovany Quenda have also signed for the club.
Chelsea are due to play their final pre-season game against Real Sociedad on Saturday as they complete their preparations for the new season.
They will then begin their Premier League season with a London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 24 August.