Jun 30, 2023, 02:12 PM ET

Chelsea signed forward Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal for €37 million ($40.6m) on Friday, while confirming that midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has left to join AC Milan on a permanent transfer

Jackson signed an eight-year deal with the west London club after completing his medical on Sunday.

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“We are excited to welcome Nicolas to Chelsea,” co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said. “He is a young player with big potential, as he showcased for Villarreal last season.

“We believe he is ready for this next step in his career and look forward to him working with our new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his Chelsea teammates.”

The Senegal forward made 38 appearances in all competitions for Villarreal last season, scoring 13 goals and making four assists.

Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the consortium who purchased Chelsea in 2022, have typically handed out lengthy contracts to new signings and Jackson’s eight-year deal follows the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk who both agreed eight-and-a-half-year deals with the club in January.

The forward is Chelsea’s second signing of the transfer window following the arrival of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig earlier this month.

Loftus-Cheek signed a four-year deal with Milan. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but British media reported that the 27-year-old, who joined Chelsea aged eight, was signed for an initial fee of €16 million ($17.47 million).

“After 19 years as a Chelsea player, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has left the club and completed a permanent transfer to AC Milan,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“A dedicated professional and a friendly and popular person throughout Cobham (training ground), Loftus-Cheek departs having made 155 appearances — in which 13 goals were scored — and with Premier League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winner’s medals.”

Jackson’s arrival comes amid wholesale squad changes at Chelsea as the club look to mould their squad to the liking of Pochettino.

Chelsea have allowed high-profile players to leave the club this summer with N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly joining clubs in Saudi Arabia while sources told ESPN on Thursday that Manchester United have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Mason Mount.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.



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Chelsea sign Jackson from Villarreal, Loftus-Cheek joins Milan