Chelsea CONFIRM first signing of the Enzo Maresca era as Tosin Adarabioyo completes move on a free from Fulham after Man United tried to hijack deal

Chelsea have completed their first signing of the Enzo Maresca era by securing Tosin Adarabioyo on a free from Fulham. 

The 6ft 5in centre back has penned a four-year contract with the Blues, who see his ability on the ball and prowess at set-pieces as a key asset ahead of the next season. 

The 26-year-old came through the Manchester City academy and will now work with Maresca, Pep Guardiola’s former assistant who wants to implement a possession-based style of play. 

‘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,’ said Adarabioyo.

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

The highly-rated centre back becomes the first signing under new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca

Adarabioyo said he was excited to sign for Chelsea and joining the club was a full-circle moment

Adarabioyo completed his medical with Chelsea earlier this week as they beat Newcastle and Manchester United to his signing. 

A gap in Chelsea’s squad opened up when Thiago Silva left at the end of the last season. It remains to be seen what this signing will mean for Trevoh Chalobah, the homegrown talent who has been linked with a move away this summer. 

Chelsea are keen to improve their ability in defending and attacking set-pieces, having ranked 10th in the Premier League for both goals scored and conceded from such situations last season. 

They have also hired Bernardo Cueva from Brentford as a specialist coach to oversee their new set-piece department.