Chelsea have signed Joao Felix on a permanent transfer from Atletico Madrid, the London club announced on Wednesday.
The striker has signed a seven-year contract.
According to sources who have told ESPN, the clubs have agreed a deal worth around 50 million euros ($55.4 million), including add-ons. Atletico will retain a 20% stake in any future fee the player generates in a transfer away from Chelsea.
It marks a return to west London for Felix, who spent six months on loan last season at Stamford Bridge, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.
“I'm really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can't wait to get started,” said Felix. “I see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.”
“I loved my previous time here and I told my friends and family that I would love to return to the Premier League one day. Doing so with Chelsea is a great feeling and I'm excited to be back.”
Félix played last season on loan at Barcelona from Atlético and scored 10 goals in 44 appearances.
He had hoped to continue at Barca beyond this summer, but returned to Atletico after playing for Portugal at Euro 2024.
The 24-year-old is Chelsea's 11th signing of the summer following Pedro Neto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jörgensen, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu, while Estêvão Willian has agreed to join the club in 2025.
Felix, who began his career at Benfica, joined Atletico in the summer of 2019 for a club-record fee of €126 million. He failed to live up to expectations and struggled to adapt to coach Diego Simeone's tactics. He scored 34 goals in 131 appearances for Atletico.
