Chelsea FC Secures Deal for French Striker Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig
Christopher Nkunku has officially joined Chelsea in a deal worth £63 million ($80 million) from RB Leipzig, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old French striker had already agreed to a pre-contract with the club in December 2021 and has now signed a lucrative six-year contract. The versatile forward scored 23 goals and provided 15 assists in the last Bundesliga season. Moreover, he was voted Bundesliga player of the season 2021-22 and helped Leipzig finish third in the league, secure a German Cup final win against Eintracht Frankfurt, and score the most goals in the Bundesliga.
A thrilled Nkunku said, “Chelsea is a great club, and I am very excited about this new adventure. A big effort was made to bring me to the club, and I am proud to wear the Chelsea shirt. I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and team-mates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.”
Nkunku, who has been capped 10 times for France, spent four years in Paris Saint-Germain FC before moving to RB Leipzig in 2019. Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, said, “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad.”
Nkunku’s arrival is Chelsea’s first major signing since the end of last season and Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as the new manager. Chelsea finished last season in seventh place, and Nkunku’s arrival marks the beginning of their close-season overhaul.
Quoting Chelsea’s statement, AFP reported, “Chelsea is delighted to announce Christopher Nkunku will join the club from RB Leipzig ahead of the 2023/24 season.”
