Chelsea confirm signing of Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg

Chelsea have completed the signing of Mamadou Sarr from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

Sarr has penned a contract until 2033. He was ever-present for Strasbourg last season and played an instrumental key role in the French team securing qualification for the UEFA Conference League play-off.

The 19-year-old racked up 28 appearances across all competitions.

Mamadou Sarr could be named in Enzo Maresca’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup tournament that gets underway later this week.

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior has given a glowing verdict on Chelsea’s signing and what the Blues should expect.

He said: “I could talk about him for hours. His nickname is Mamadou Rosenior, he’s my son.

“It’s scary to show such performances at 19 with such calm in the face of such strong teams. He just has to stay humble and calm and he will be a top player for sure.

“His temperament, his athleticism, his ability on the ball… he’s got everything you need to be a world-class centre-half.”

Sarr becomes Chelsea’s third signing of the summer after Dario Essugo and Liam Delap moved to Stamford Bridge from Sporting Lisbon and Ipswich Town, respectively.

The France Under-20 international joined Strasbourg last summer and established himself as a regular starter in defence, making 27 starts in Ligue 1 as Strasbourg finished seventh.

He came through the youth ranks at Lyon, where he made his senior debut during the penultimate game of the 2022/23 season.

Sarr made two further appearances during the following campaign before he went on a five-month loan spell at Belgian club RWD Molenbeek.