Chelsea have reached an agreement with Sporting CP to sign 20-year-old midfielder Dario Essugo for £18.5 million. He will join the first-team squad this summer on a seven-year contract and is expected to provide cover for Moisés Caicedo in midfield.
Chelsea have secured the signing of Portugal youth international Dario Essugo from Sporting CP, adding much-needed depth to their midfield. The defensive midfielder, who has been on loan at Las Palmas this season, will rotate with Moisés Caicedo in the 2025-26 campaign, helping to manage the Ecuadorian’s workload.
Essugo made history as Sporting’s youngest-ever debutant in 2021 and has since gained valuable experience, making 25 first-team appearances. His move follows Chelsea’s recent agreement to sign Geovany Quenda, though unlike Quenda—who will remain at Sporting for another season—Essugo will immediately join Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer.
Chelsea’s recruitment strategy also includes bringing back Andrey Santos from his Strasbourg loan to compete with Romeo Lavia, while January signing Mathis Amougou will go out on loan next season. The club remains in the market for a striker and a right-footed winger, with player sales planned to fund those moves.
