Chelsea have acquired Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham as their first signing under the management of Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea Football Club has officially announced the signing of defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham. The 26-year-old has agreed to a four-year contract with the club, making him the first signing under the leadership of new manager Enzo Maresca. Adarabioyo will officially join Chelsea on July 1, following the expiration of his contract with Fulham.

In an interview, Adarabioyo expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea, stating, “Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there. I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.”

Adarabioyo began his football journey with Manchester City at the tender age of five. He made his senior debut for City at Stamford Bridge in 2016 and had a brief stint working with Maresca during his time at the club in 2020. Before joining Fulham in October 2020, Adarabioyo had loan spells with West Brom and Blackburn Rovers.

During the 2023/24 Premier League season, Adarabioyo made 20 appearances for Fulham. Ahead of his move to Chelsea, he took to social media to express his gratitude to Fulham Football Club, saying, “As a new chapter awaits, I’d just like to thank everyone at Fulham Football Club for the last four years. Together with the manager, staff, my teammates, and supporters, we made some great memories that I’ll always hold fondly. I wish you all the best in the future.”

Adarabioyo’s arrival at Chelsea comes after the departure of veteran centre-back Thiago Silva. Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, expressed their delight at bringing Adarabioyo to the club. They praised his maturity, defensive qualities, and Premier League experience, stating that he is ready to make the step up to Chelsea and work alongside the talented players in the squad. The directors eagerly anticipate Adarabioyo joining the team for pre-season training.