Cesc Fabregas has given Chelsea’s £35million signing of Benoit Badiashile his seal of approval.
France defender Badiashile has completed a switch to Stamford Bridge from Monaco - where he was a former teammate of the Spaniard.
The 21-year-old has inked a seven-and-a-half-year deal in west London, the Premier League club have confirmed, having made over 100 appearances in Ligue 1 for the Principality side. He has also played in the Champions League and been capped twice by Les Bleus making his debut for Didier Deschamps’ side in a 2-1 win against Austria last September.
Left-footed Badiashile has become Chelsea ’s third major centre-back signing of the season, following the arrivals of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana during the summer transfer window. New boss Graham Potter and the club’s transfer chiefs had prioritised a left-sided defender capable of playing at the heart of a back four and in a back three this month.
And Fabregas, 35, is delighted to see his former teammate move to his old stomping ground.
“What a signing” was the Premier League and World Cup winner’s simple declaration on social media. “Good luck my friend.”
Badiashile becomes Chelsea second signing of the January window, after striker David Datro Fofana joined from Norwegian side Molde earlier this week.
“I’m very happy to be here at Chelsea,” Badiashile told the club’s website. “I’m so excited to start playing for this club. I can’t wait to see the fans and start playing in the best league in the world.”
“We’re delighted to welcome Benoit to Chelsea,” chairman Todd Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali told the club’s website.
“He’s an excellent young player who has quickly established a strong reputation for himself and has a huge amount of experience for his young age.
"We are sure he will form an important part of our team in the years ahead.”
