Joao Felix has returned to Chelsea on a permanent transfer from Atletico Madrid.
Felix spent the second half of 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea where he netted just four goals in 20 appearances.
The Portuguese has now returned on a permanent basis for £45m and has signed a six-year deal with option for a further year, which would see him stay at Stamford Bridge until June 2031.
“I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can’t wait to get started,’ commented Felix. ‘I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.
“I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I’d love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I’m excited to be back.”
Last season saw Felix score 10 goals in 44 outings on loan at Barcelona but the 24 year-old forward is now keen to lay down proper roots.
“After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place. There is no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.
“It was a little bit of a lot of things that made me want to come back: the project, the club, the league, the fans, the time I spent here that I loved. I felt really good when I was here, despite the results we had. I’m really happy to be back.”
Felix also reflected on how his loans have shaped him and is ready to show what he can do as a player.
“I’ve developed as a player in a lot of ways: the perception of the game, and the spaces the ball can arrive easily where I can make more impact, I try to figure it out by watching some videos of me of my games.
“I’ve kind of changed since I was last here. I’m 24 now. I’ll be 25 in November. I feel like I grew up as a player. That’s normal with age. I’m more prepared for the Premier League.”
Felix however is confident that his peak years lay ahead as he concluded: “I feel like my best years are ahead of me. I have no doubt about that.
“The best years are still to come. And this year is going to be a good year, because now I am permanently at home, and I can enjoy home.”
Felix began his career at Os Pestinhas and went on to play for Porto and Benfica in their academies, and it was the latter where he made his senior breakthrough with 20 goals in 43 appearances to win 2018-19 Primeira Liga title.
A move to Atletico Madrid followed where he produced 34 goals in 131 appearances during which Atletico won 2020-21 La Liga title, before he went on loan to Chelsea then Barcelona.
Felix represents Portugal internationally and has eight goals in 41 senior caps, plus helped them win 2018-19 UEFA Nations League title.
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