Chelsea confirm first signing of summer transfer window as Sporting midfielder Dario Essugo arrives on eight-year contract

Essugo has become Chelsea's first arrival of what could be a busy summer in the transfer window. The midfielder has completed his move from Sporting and could now debut for the Blues at the Club World Cup.

"Chelsea is pleased to confirm the signing of Dario Essugo from Sporting CP," read a club statement: "The midfielder, who spent last season on loan in La Liga with Las Palmas and is a Portugal Under-21 international, has signed a contract until 2033.

"Essugo began his career in Sporting's academy and became the youngest-ever player to feature for the club when he made his senior debut aged 16 years and six days against Vitoria de Guimaraes in March 2021. Later that year, he broke Luis Figo’s record as the youngest starter for Sporting, aged 16 years, 11 months and 17 days."

The Blues have splashed out a reported fee of €22.3 million (£18m) for Essugo, and he's being lined up for a key role under Enzo Maresca next season either alongside Moises Caicedo or as an alternative to the Ecuadorian. The youngster has already been tipped for the top by Luis Dias, a technical consultant to the Portuguese football federation. He told Marca: "He will play for Real Madrid or wherever he wants. He has enormous potential."

Chelsea's new arrival is expected to join up with his new team-mates for the Club World Cup. Maresca's side kick off their tournament on June 16 against LAFC.