On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Chelsea FC’s official website announced the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for a cost of €40 million. The Senegalese player committed to a five-year contract with the Stamford Bridge team, keeping him there through the summer of 2027. He will sign a long-term contract with the Premier League team, and his projected annual pay is €10 million net.
In regards to his transfer from the Serie A to the Premier League, Koulibaly stated his happiness. He played a significant role in the Serie A club’s third-place finish last year, behind winner AC Milan and second-place Inter Milan.
Speaking in his first interview since signing his deal with Chelsea, the Senegalese claimed that his former Napoli teammate Jorginho and his fellow countryman Edouard Mendy helped him make an easy choice.
I am very happy to be here with this team at Chelsea,’ said Koulibaly. ‘It’s a big team in the world and my dream was always to play in the Premier League. Chelsea came first to get me in 2016 but we didn’t make it. Now when they came to me I accepted it because they really wanted me to come to the Premier League to play for them. When I spoke to my good friends Edou and Jorginho they made my choice easier so I’m really happy to be with you today.
As soon as he arrived from Italy and met some Chelsea fans at the London airport, he praised them for their love and support.
I want to express my gratitude to the fans because I ran into many of them in London, and everyone on the plane was delighted to see me. I want to thank them for that, and I also wish for a great season and fun times for the supporters.
