Transfer News: Chelsea Sign Dario Essugo Just In Time For Club World Cup

Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 10:02 IST

Chelsea signed Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon and will join the Premier League side for the Club World Cup.

Dario Essugo signed with Chelsea from Sporting Lisbon (Instagram)

Chelsea announced on Monday the signing of Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon in an £18 million ($25 million) deal.

The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Spanish side Las Palmas, relegated from La Liga, will be available for the Blues at the Club World Cup later this month.

Essugo, a product of Sporting’s academy, became the club’s youngest first-team player when he debuted at 16 in March 2021.

Deals for both Essugo and Geovany Quenda were initially agreed upon in March.

Quenda will remain at Sporting until the end of the 2025/26 season before joining Chelsea for £44 million.

Chelsea is also close to finalising a £30 million deal for Ipswich striker Liam Delap, further strengthening their squad in the coming days.

ALSO READ | Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic To Miss Club World Cup

Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss the FIFA Club World Cup after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Premier League club announced on Monday.

The Croatian has been managing the injury for some time and missed last month’s 1-0 FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace.

“Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation, and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery," a club statement said.

The 31-year-old was omitted from the Croatia squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar on 6 June and the Czech Republic on 9 June.

Kovacic scored seven goals in 42 appearances for City across all competitions last season.

City will begin their Club World Cup campaign in the United States on 18 June against Wydad AC.

ALSO READ | Antoine Griezmann Inks Atletico Madrid Contract Extension

Atletico Madrid handed Antoine Griezmann a two-year contract extension on Monday, which could keep the French forward with the club until he is 36.

Griezmann’s previous contract had a year remaining. He scored 19 goals in 53 games in all competitions this season as Atletico finished third in the Spanish league and reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

The 34-year-old Griezmann is the club’s all-time top scorer with 197 goals.

“Very happy to keep wearing this amazing jersey for many more years," Griezmann said on Instagram. “I hope to bring you a lot of joy."

The announcement came amid rumours of a possible move by Griezmann to Major League Soccer, and as Atletico prepares for the Club World Cup in the United States.

Atletico’s first game is on 15 June against Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in the group stage, before playing the Seattle Sounders and Brazil’s Botafogo.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov...

Read More

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