Chelsea Signs Portuguese International Winger Neto
Sudan Events – Agencies
Chelsea continued its recent series of signings by acquiring Portuguese international winger Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton on Sunday in a deal worth £54 million ($69 million) and a seven-year contract. Neto (24 years old) becomes the ninth player to join the London team during the winter transfer window.
Chelsea has spent around £185 million in recent months, mostly on young players who are expected to be key to the club’s future.
In contrast, Neto is expected to be a key element in the lineup of new Italian coach Enzo Maresca, whose team will face a baptism of fire in the new season’s opener as they host four-time Premier League champions Manchester City next Sunday.
The club’s official website quoted Neto as saying, “I’m really grateful to join this club.” He added, “I’ve worked hard in my career to be here, and I’m looking forward to defending the colors of this team.”
Neto was officially presented to Chelsea fans at the end of the first half of their friendly match against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Neto joined Wolverhampton in 2019 from Lazio and scored 14 goals in 135 appearances.
Wolverhampton’s sporting director Matt Hobbs, after the club parted ways with the player for a record fee, said, “Pedro is a world-class winger, and he’s been unlucky with injuries, so we’ll obviously miss him on the field.”
He concluded, “The deal suits us and Pedro, but that doesn’t make it any easier at all.”
