CHELSEA have beaten Arsenal to the signing of Ukraine forward Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89m.
The 22-year-old has agreed an eight-and-a-half-year deal for 70m euros (£62m), plus a further 30m euros (£27m) in bonuses.
“I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea,” said Mudryk.
Arsenal chased Mudryk for months, but the striker who scored seven goals in 12 league appearances for Shakhtar this season choosed the Blues instead.
“This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career,” he said.
“I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”
Mudryk, who has made eight appearances for Ukraine since making his debut in June 2022, was at Stamford Bridge to watch for Chelsea’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He looked set to sign for Arsenal, but Shakhtar club president Rinat Akhmetov met with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali on Saturday to discuss a Chelsea move.
“I am convinced Mykhailo will win the respect, sympathy and love of all connoisseurs of world football with his speed, his technique, his bright and beautiful game,” said Akhmetov.
Mudryk is Chelsea’s fifth signing of the January transfer window following the arrival of Joao Felix on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid, plus the permanent signings of Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos.
