Chelsea smash British transfer record with £117m Morgan Rogers deal from Aston Villa

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Chelsea completed the signing of England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa on Tuesday in a move British outlets put at £117 million ($157 million), shattering the fee record for a British player.

“The 23-year-old forward has signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033,” the London club posted on their website. Rogers cleared his medical on Monday after coming back from the World Cup in North America.

“I’m so excited,” said Rogers. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid,” Rogers was quoted as saying by the club. “I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading. That’s why I’m here, and I can’t wait to get started.”

The outlay tops the prior British-player high set by Manchester City, who paid £116 million for England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest earlier this month. Rogers also becomes Chelsea’s costliest ever arrival, ahead of the £107 million spent on Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.

The capture underlines Chelsea’s ambition after they persuaded Rogers to quit Villa even though — unlike his former employers — the west London side will miss the Champions League next season. Chelsea had tracked him for two years and edged Arsenal once the Premier League title holders declined to meet Villa’s asking price.

Villa manager Unai Emery faces another setback after Youri Tielemans joined Manchester United and Lucas Digne’s expected move to Paris Saint-Germain. “A player with impeccable behaviour and commitment, Morgan leaves Aston Villa with the best wishes of everyone at the football club for both his service to the club and for his future career,” said Villa on their website.

Championship club Middlesbrough stand to collect 20 per cent of the fee under a sell-on clause from Rogers’ 2024 transfer to Villa. He scored 21 goals in 85 league matches for Villa and played a central role when they beat Freiburg in the Europa League final in May. Last season was his breakthrough year, with 14 goals and 11 assists across 55 appearances. “He will always remain a core part of our recent great moments and memories,” said Villa.

New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso must work out how to deploy Rogers alongside Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian and fellow summer arrival Geovany Quenda in attacking midfield roles. After Rogers’ move to Stamford Bridge, Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho is tipped to leave Chelsea before the window closes.

Rogers and Palmer are close after sharing time in Manchester City’s youth setup. Palmer’s well-known ‘cold’ celebration grew out of Rogers’ habit of striking the same pose while at Middlesbrough.

The deal demonstrates Chelsea can still land elite talent despite missing Europe after a poor 10th-place Premier League finish last term. Rogers will report to Chelsea once he rests after helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals.