Felix on Chelsea return: ‘I’m more prepared for the Premier League’ | OneFootball

Chelesa have announced the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid, arriving for a reported £45.5 million.

Felix will embark on his second stint as a Chelsea player after joining on a six month loan in the spring 2023, during which he made 20 appearances and scored four times as Chelsea laboured to a twelfth place league finish.

“I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I’d love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I’m excited to be back,” he told Chelsea’s website.

“After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place. There is no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.”

He continued: “I’ve kind of changed since I was last here. I’m 24 now. I’ll be 25 in November. I feel like I grew up as a player. That’s normal with age. I’m more prepared for the Premier League.”

Joining on a seven year contract and returning to a familiar playing environment, Felix will hope to hit the ground running and enjoy a lengthy stay at Stamford Bridge, despite the glut of attacking talent he will be made to compete with.

“I feel like my best years are ahead of me. I have no doubt about that. The best years are still to come. And this year is going to be a good year, because now I am permanently at home, and I can enjoy home.”

He will not be in the squad for Chelsea’s opening match of the UEFA Conference League campaign, which will take place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.

The move was announced just hours after the completion of Conor Gallagher’s transfer in the opposite direction. He leaves the club after graduating to the first team from the Cobham Academy and captaining Chelsea for much of the 2023/24 campaign.