Chelsea announce signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig

Chelsea have made striker Christopher Nkunku their first signing of the summer transfer window with the Frenchman arriving from RB Leipzig on a six-year contract.

Nkunku, 26, has been capped 10 times by his country but missed last year's World Cup in Qatar due to injury. His move to the Premier League club was announced Tuesday in a deal reported to be worth £52 million.

He played 172 games for Leipzig, scoring 70 goals – including 35 in all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign and was named Bundesliga Player of the Season and German PFA Player of the Season.

Nkunku scored 23 goals in 36 games last season – including 16 in the Bundesliga as he finished joint-top scorer alongside Niclas Fullkrug of Werder Bremen – to help Leipzig finish third in the table, five points behind champions Bayern Munich.

He becomes the first major arrival at Stamford Bridge since Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as the club's new manager.

“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,” Nkunku told the club's website. “A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.

'Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”

Nkunku is a Blue!