Chelsea's acquisition of Belgium midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton has been finalized, with an initial payment of £53 million. At the age of 19, Lavia has committed to a seven-year contract, and the agreement includes the potential for an additional £5 million through supplementary components. Throughout the past season, Lavia participated in 34 matches across various competitions. Despite his contributions, he was unable to avert Southampton's demotion from the Premier League.

"I'm thrilled to join Chelsea and become part of this captivating venture," expressed Lavia. "The football club's illustrious history and sheer excitement around it have me genuinely eager to embark on this journey. "Meeting my new teammates and forging a camaraderie to achieve remarkable feats together is something I'm eagerly anticipating." Liverpool also expressed interest in Lavia, but their third offer, reportedly around £46 million inclusive of add-ons, was turned down by Southampton recently. Lavia's decision marks the second instance this week of players favoring Chelsea over Jurgen Klopp's side. Moises Caicedo, too, opted for Chelsea, joining from Brighton for a substantial £100 million, potentially surging to a British record of £115 million. Having progressed through Anderlecht's youth ranks, Lavia made the move to Manchester City in 2020 after being spotted by Pep Guardiola during a Belgian tournament. Despite just two senior appearances for City – in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – Lavia couldn't establish himself in the first team and subsequently joined Southampton in July 2022 for £10.5 million. Earlier this year, Lavia made his debut for the Belgian national team, featuring as a substitute in a friendly victory over Germany. In response, Southampton lauded Lavia for his commitment and professionalism during his single season with the club, wishing him a prosperous journey ahead. In a heartfelt Instagram farewell, Lavia extended gratitude to Southampton supporters, acknowledging their unwavering backing. He wrote, "Despite not achieving our shared objectives, I felt an immediate connection with you all. The trust exhibited by the club and Saints fans worldwide truly touched me, and I hope I've justified the confidence you had in me." He further expressed appreciation for teammates and staff, who facilitated his transition into professional football. Lavia concluded, "For these reasons, this club will always hold a special place in my heart. Best wishes for the season ahead, and I eagerly await witnessing the club's triumphant return to the Premier League, where it rightfully belongs!"