Chelsea have announced the signing of Germany international, Kai Havertz, on a five-year contract.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has made the move to Stamford Bridge from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee that could rise to a maximum of £71million.
The promising German has scored 36 goals and contributed 25 assists in 118 appearances for the Bundesliga club.
He is Chelsea’s second most expensive signing after Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Athletic Bilbao (£71.6m) in 2018.
“I am very happy and proud to be here. It is a dream come true to play in a big club like Chelsea,” said Havertz.
The £71m fee for Havertz includes add-ons.
Chelsea director, Marina Granovskaia, said: “Kai is one of the best players of his age in world football, so we are very happy that his future lies at Chelsea.
“He is an exciting, dynamic talent. We are delighted to be able to add his versatility and quality to the squad before the season begins.”
21-year-old Havertz is Blues manager, Frank Lampard’s seventh signing of the summer.
He follows forward and fellow German, Timo Werner, midfielder Hakim Ziyech, and defenders Xavier Mbuyamba, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva to Stamford Bridge.
Sarr will be loaned out, while Mbuyamba has gone into the Blues’ Under-23 squad.
Having graduated from the Leverkusen academy, Havertz scored 18 goals in 45 appearances last season, including eight in the 11 games after the campaign restarted.
The versatile midfielder, who can also play up front, has scored once in seven appearances for Germany.
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign away at Brighton on Monday, 14 September and Havertz will be hoping to make his Blues debut.
