Chelsea sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton on deal until 2028

Chelsea have completed the signing of experienced England forward Danny Welbeck from Brighton, with the 35-year-old agreeing a contract that runs until 2028.

The London club have not disclosed the transfer fee for the move, which sees Welbeck become the oldest player in Chelsea’s squad. He will join the Blues’ training camp under head coach Xabi Alonso.

“When you hear about interest from Chelsea, it fills you with immense pride. Knowing Chelsea’s history, it is a club that wants to win trophies and strives to do so every season,” Welbeck said in a statement published on the club’s official website.

“I have that burning desire inside me, and I am ready to give everything I can for this club, to make everyone at Chelsea, and the supporters, proud of me.”

Welbeck brings extensive Premier League experience to Chelsea, having made more than 400 appearances in the competition. He has also represented England at two World Cups.

Across his career, the forward has scored 123 goals in 525 appearances. He began his senior career with Manchester United, where he won the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.

Welbeck moved to Arsenal in 2014 and spent five seasons with the club, winning three trophies during that period. He subsequently joined Watford before moving to Brighton in 2020.

At Brighton, Welbeck contributed to the club qualifying for European competition for the first time in its history. He scored 13 goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season.

His international career with England brought 42 caps and 16 goals.

Welbeck is the only player in Chelsea’s current squad aged over 30. The next-oldest member of the team is Tosin Adarabioyo, who is 28.

His arrival is Chelsea’s sixth signing of the summer. He follows Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda and Emanuel Emegha in joining the club.

Chelsea will begin their Premier League campaign against Fulham on 24 August.