Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has completed a transfer to Chelsea, signing a six-year contract with the Blues.
Slonina, 18, has been loaned back to the Fire for the remainder of the 2022 MLS season and will join up with Chelsea in January 2023.
Chelsea will reportedly pay a $10 million fee to Chicago up front, with the possibility of a further $5m in add-ons.
In announcing the move, the Fire said they “will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee Chelsea receives for Slonina.”
“I joined this club with ambitions of playing at the highest level and it’s been a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey,” said Slonina.
Gabriel Slonina has completed a permanent transfer to Chelsea! ✍️
The 18-year-old joins from Chicago Fire where he will return on loan to complete their season before moving to London at the start of 2023.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 2, 2022
Slonina took over as the Fire’s starting goalkeeper last season at age 17, becoming the youngest goalkeeper ever to start an MLS match. He has started all 23 of the Fire’s matches this season, keeping 10 clean sheets.
At the international level, the 18-year-old committed to the U.S. earlier this summer despite a concerted effort by Poland to bring him into the fold.
Chelsea’s current incumbent in goal is Édouard Mendy, 30, who has established himself as the clear-cut starter at Stamford Bridge. Mendy’s strong play has current backup Kepa Arrizabalaga looking for a way out this summer in search of a starting role.
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