Chelsea confirm signing of wonderkid striker Marc Guiu from Barcelona

Having scored twice in seven first-team appearances for Barcelona in 2023-24, Guiu is now officially a Chelsea player after putting pen to paper on a five-year contact until 2029. The deal includes the option of a further 12 months to 2030.

Chelsea's transfer strategy under Todd Boehly's leadership has mostly focused on young developing talent and 18-year-old Guiu represents the latest step in that direction. The Blues triggered the Spanish youngster's £5 million ($6.3m) release clause, making it a bargain for considerable long-term potential.

"It brings me immense joy to sign for Chelsea. I struggled to sleep last night ahead of the journey here because I was so excited," Guiu said in his first interview with the club's official website.

"Ever since I was small, it was my dream to play in the Premier League and be successful in England. Now I have the opportunity to join Chelsea and I will work my hardest to be successful for the club. I think what's most important [to start with] is that I adapt to my surroundings, which I'm sure will be easy, and then of course I want to win the Champions League and the Premier League for Chelsea.

"On a personal level, I want to help the team as much as I can by scoring lots of goals and I want to become the best centre forward in the world."

Guiu scored Barcelona's winning goal against Athletic Club in La Liga off the bench last October. He then scored in a Champions League group stage defeat to Antwerp a few weeks later.

Guiu will soon link up with his new Chelsea team-mates when pre-season begins this month. The Blues have a multi-stop tour of the United States booked in for late July and early August, with games against Wrexham, Celtic, Club America, Manchester City and Real Madrid in five different cities, coast to coast.