Chelsea has completed the signing of left-back Pep Chavarria on a five-year contract, the club announced. The transfer fee is reported to be around £16 million.
Chavarria, who was born in Figueres, Catalonia, spent his formative years in Spain's lower divisions before establishing himself at Olot. His professional career advanced significantly when he joined Real Zaragoza in 2020, where he spent two seasons in the second division.
In 2022, Chavarria earned a move to La Liga side Rayo Vallecano. At Vallecas, he developed into a consistent top-flight full-back, noted for his defensive aggression and physicality. He made 125 appearances for Rayo, becoming a regular on the left side of their defense.
His performances at Rayo caught the attention of manager Xabi Alonso, particularly after an impressive defensive display against Real Madrid last season. Chavarria was a key target for Alonso following his appointment as Chelsea manager.
The signing addresses depth in the left-back position, following the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid in June. Chavarria's arrival also allows Alonso to potentially implement a wing-back system similar to the one he employed at Bayer Leverkusen. He joins new right-back Marco Palestra, who was signed from Atalanta for £47 million in July.
Chavarria's journey to professional football saw him play in Spain's lower leagues until he was 24, highlighting a trajectory of late development and consistent improvement that made him a valuable asset for Rayo Vallecano.