Chelsea have announced the signing of Facundo Buonanotte on a season-long loan from Brighton.
The 20-year-old was in talks to join Leeds on a similar deal before the Blues hijacked the move. There is no option or obligation to make the move permanent.
Argentina international impressed on loan at Leicester City last season, but Brighton decided early in the summer that he was surplus to requirements, so another exit was always expected.
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Buonanotte’s arrival adds depth to the Blues squad, where he will be expected to provide cover in central attacking midfield and out wide, with Chelsea chiefs confident the player’s versatility will be a valuable asset as the club fights on four fronts.
“I’m very happy to join Chelsea,” Buonanotte told the club’s official website.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m just looking to add as much to the squad as possible, help the team and help the staff.”
Chelsea have signed a large number of players from Brighton in recent seasons, including Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez. Co-sporting director Paul Winstanley and director of global recruitment Sam Jewell were both previously part of the recruitment team with the Seagulls before moving to Chelsea.
Julio Enciso, meanwhile, has also left Brighton to join Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, with a view to potentially becoming a Blues player in the future.
Chelsea continue to work on exits for the likes of Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana on a busy deadline day for the west London club.
