Chelsea sign Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano

Chelsea have signed Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano on a contract running until 2031.

The 26-year-old will begin working with his new team-mates at Chelsea’s training centre as the club prepares for the 2026-27 season.

Chavarria said he was delighted to complete the move to Stamford Bridge, describing the transfer as a dream opportunity.

“I am very excited to get started. This is a dream for me, because Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said.

“It is a big opportunity for me, but I am ready and I will work hard to help the team achieve success.”

Chavarria also paid tribute to the people who had supported him throughout his career, particularly his family.

“There are a lot of people who helped me reach this moment, and I would like to thank my family. They have always supported me, and I could not have reached this point today without them,” he added.

The move strengthens Chelsea’s options at left-back and brings Chavarria to England after four seasons in Spain’s top flight with Rayo Vallecano.

Chavarria’s rise through Spanish football

Chavarria began his career with his hometown club, UE Figueres, who were competing in Spain’s fourth tier at the time.

He made his first-team debut at the age of 18 against CF Peralada. Over the following two seasons, he developed into an attack-minded left-back.

In the summer of 2018, Chavarria joined UE Olot, then playing in Spain’s third division. He quickly established himself as a regular and became one of the competition’s standout players.

The defender made 52 appearances for Olot before moving to Real Zaragoza in August 2020, when the club were competing in Spain’s second tier.

His first professional appearance for Real Zaragoza came in September of that year, when he started in a 2-2 draw against Las Palmas.

Chavarria spent two full seasons with Real Zaragoza before earning a move to La Liga with Rayo Vallecano in August 2022.

Over the past four years, he has become an important member of the Rayo Vallecano side and played a part in a period of notable results for the club.

Rayo Vallecano finished eighth in La Liga in each of the past two seasons and also reached the final of the UEFA Conference League.

Chavarria made 44 appearances for Rayo Vallecano last season and helped them reach the UEFA Conference League final, where they were narrowly beaten by Crystal Palace.

He becomes Chelsea’s sixth signing, following Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco, Maxence Lacroix, Morgan Rogers and Danny Welbeck.