Chelsea’s newest midfielder Romeo Lavia says he is ready to “achieve great things” after his £58million move to Stamford Bridge was confirmed.
The 19-year-old rejected Liverpool to sign a seven-year deal with the Blues after completing his medical in west London late on Thursday night.
Chelsea could have the Belgium international available for their trip to face West Ham this weekend as he revealed his excitement at making the switch back to the Premier League from Southampton.
Lavia said: “I’m really happy join Chelsea and be a part of this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history and I’m really excited to get started.
“I think the project and ambitions of the club were key factors, but also the history behind it. It is an exciting times.
“Most of these players I have played against and I thought they were great players so to be able to work with them is a great feeling. These were key factors in determining my decision.
“I can’t wait to meet all my new team-mates and build a chemistry together to achieve great things together.”
Expanding more on exactly why he chose to join Chelsea amid strong rival interest from Liverpool, Lavia told the club’s official website: “Three factors determined my decision.
“The project and the ambitions of the club were key factors in me choosing Chelsea, but also the history behind the club. It’s really exciting to be a part of this football club and to write some history.
“I’m really happy and proud. It’s a privilege to be able to put on this shirt. Most of the players we’ve signed are players I’ve played against, and thought ‘ooooof, these players are good’, so to be able to work with them is a great feeling.
“They are young players and good players, so it will be good to make each other better. That’s the only way to succeed.”
Lavia also explained how discussions with manager Mauricio Pochettino were key to making his decison, adding: “Mauricio Pochettino is a great manager and we all know what he has done before and when I spoke to him, it was pretty clear what he wanted and the direction he wanted to go in.
“I was pleased to hear what he wanted and his energy was something that matched with mine. I’m really excited to start working with him.”
Chelsea have also signed midfielder Moises Caicedo this week for a British transfer record £115m from Brighton.
Having secured two players from under the noses of Liverpool, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea. He demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age, and is a player we have monitored for some time.
“We believe he is ready to make an impact at Chelsea throughout the current campaign, and in the coming years.”
Lavia spent just one season at Southampton, making 34 appearances having come to England through Manchester City after leaving Belgian giants Anderlecht.
