First pictures as Chelsea make Tosin Adarabioyo opening signing of Enzo Maresca era

Chelsea have made Tosin Adarabioyo the first new signing of the Enzo Maresca era.

The former Manchester City defender has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge until 2028 and will officially join on July 1, after the conclusion of his current deal with west London rivals Fulham.

Adarabioyo is the latest in a long line of centre-backs to join Chelsea in recent years, following the likes of French trio Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi.

He is seen as the ideal replacement for veteran Thiago Silva, who has now left the Blues for a return to Brazil with Fluminense but has already been earmarked to return one day as manager.

Adarabioyo bolsters the defensive options for incoming Chelsea boss Maresca, who will start work at Cobham on the same day next month having agreed to leave Championship title winners Leicester after only one season.

His arrival will also increase speculation that Trevoh Chalobah is set to leave the club this summer, with Chelsea also having the likes of Levi Colwill to call upon in central defence.

Adarabioyo made 132 appearances in total for Fulham after joining from City in 2020 and previously having loan spells at both West Brom and Blackburn.

Though he grew up in Manchester, he was born close to Stamford Bridge and hailed his move to Chelsea as something of a homecoming.

“Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there,” the 26-year-old said.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.”

He added: “Growing up, Chelsea has always been a club that have performed well and one that have had great players and teams to watch. Chelsea have won big trophies and long may it continue.

“I’m here to win. I want to win. It’s as simple as that really. I just want to keep working and pushing the team and the club in the direction we want to go in. I’m excited to get going.”

Click through the gallery at the top of the page to see the first pictures of Tosin Adarabioyo as a Chelsea player.