- Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa
- The £117m deal sets a British transfer record
- Rogers signed a contract until 2033
Chelsea have completed the signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a deal reportedly worth £117 million ($157 million), making him the most expensive British footballer in history.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the 23-year-old attacker has signed an eight-year contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.
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Rogers completed his medical on Monday after returning from England’s World Cup campaign in North America.
Expressing his excitement after sealing the move, Rogers said joining Chelsea fulfilled a long-held ambition.
“I’m so excited. Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve admired since I was a child,” he said.
He added that the club’s long-term vision, new manager and talented squad convinced him to make the switch.
The transfer surpasses the previous British-record fee of £116 million, paid earlier this month when Manchester City signed England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
It also becomes the biggest transfer in Chelsea’s history, overtaking the £107 million the club spent to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.
Chelsea had tracked Rogers for nearly two years and eventually secured his signature ahead of Arsenal, who reportedly declined to meet Aston Villa’s valuation.
Although Chelsea will not feature in next season’s UEFA Champions League, the club still persuaded Rogers to join their rebuilding project.
His departure is another setback for Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, following the exits of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the expected move of Lucas Digne to Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa paid tribute to Rogers, praising his professionalism and commitment throughout his time at the club.
“A player with impeccable behaviour and commitment, Morgan leaves Aston Villa with the best wishes of everyone at the football club for both his service to the club and for his future career,” the club said.
Championship club Middlesbrough will also benefit financially from the transfer through a 20 per cent sell-on clause agreed when Rogers joined Villa in 2024.
During his spell at Villa, Rogers scored 21 league goals in 85 appearances and played a key role in the club’s Europa League triumph over Freiburg in May.
He also enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season, recording 14 goals and 11 assists in 55 matches across all competitions.
Villa described him as a player who would remain an important part of the club’s recent successes.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will now have to integrate Rogers into an attack that already includes Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian and fellow new signing Geovany Quenda.
Reports also suggest Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho could leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.
Rogers shares a close friendship with Palmer, having progressed through Manchester City’s academy together. Palmer’s famous “cold” goal celebration was originally introduced by Rogers during his time at Middlesbrough.
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