Chelsea sign Chavarria in £16m deal - who is the left-back?

Chelsea has signed left-back Pep Chavarria in a £16 million deal, marking a significant move for the Premier League club. Chavarria, 28, had to take an unconventional path to reach one of Europe's top clubs. Unlike many players who climb to elite status through prestigious academies or early top-flight performances, he made his La Liga debut at the age of 24, when most players have already established themselves.

After four years at Rayo Vallecano, Chavarria has completed his biggest move to Chelsea in a five-year deal worth around £16.3 million plus £1.7 million in add-ons.

Speaking about his move, Chavarria expressed his excitement, stating that joining Chelsea is a dream come true as it is one of the biggest clubs in the world. He acknowledged it as a big opportunity and is prepared to work hard to help the team achieve success.

Born in Figueres, a city in Catalonia, Chavarria started his career in his hometown club before moving to Olot, where he built his reputation in Spain's lower tiers. His breakthrough came after joining Real Zaragoza in 2020, giving him his first taste of professional football at a bigger club. After two seasons in Spain's second division, he earned the opportunity to step into La Liga with Rayo Vallecano in 2022.

Chavarria's time at Rayo Vallecano was critical for his development. Despite not being expected to compete with Spain's established giants, Rayo's strong collective structure helped identify undervalued players and maximise their strengths. Chavarria, who made 125 appearances for Rayo, became a dependable top-flight full-back, combining defensive aggression with the physicality required for the role.

His performance in a goalless draw against Real Madrid at Vallecas in November, under the guidance of former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, caught Alonso's attention and led to Chavarria becoming a key target for Chelsea.