Chelsea sign Cucurella for £60m

Chelsea have shelled out £60m to capture the signature of Spain defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton. 

The left-back has penned a six-year deal with the Blues after an outstanding campaign for the Seagulls last season, during which he scored one goal in 38 games. 

The 24-year-old former Barcelona academy graduate, who had joined Brighton from Getafe last August, is the second big money departure from the Amex Stadium after midfielder Yves Bissouma's £25m move to Tottenham.

"I'm really happy. It's a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world," said Cucurella after his transfer was announced.

"I'm going to work hard to be happy here and help the team."

Brighton have confirmed that they had received a record transfer fee for Cucurella, which exceeds the £50m fee Arsenal paid for Ben White last summer.

Cucurella has one senior cap to his name for Spain and also played for the under-23 side that won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Linked heavily to Manchester City earlier in this transfer window, Cucurella handed in a transfer request last week after Brighton reportedly rejected a £30m bid from Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions.

"We did not want to lose Marc, but he wanted the opportunity of playing Champions League football with a view to accelerating his progress to Spain's World Cup squad," said Brighton boss Graham Potter.

"Of course we are disappointed to see Marc leave, but we wish him well for the future.

"He had an excellent first season in the Premier League, deservedly winning both our player of the season awards, and has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the past 12 months."