Chelsea unveil Estevao Willian as latest signing

Chelsea have officially unveiled Brazilian prodigy Estevao Willian as a new member of the club from Palmeiras, since completing the deal a year ago, with a fixed fee of €40 million plus €21.5 million in bonuses, per the club’s website.

However, the bonuses are linked to the number of matches played by Estevao’s former club and by Chelsea.

Chelsea fans have eagerly awaited a year to see Estevao in their colors, and the moment has finally arrived as the Blues kick off their pre-season preparations.

Read more: Chelsea confirm signing of Jorrel Hato from Ajax

The talented forward joins from Palmeiras, having faced his new club at the Club World Cup this summer. With his extended loan spell at the Brazilian giants now concluded, he can finally experience life with the World Champions.

The 18-year-old has already made 83 appearances, scored 27 goals, and recorded 15 assists for Palmeiras and has five senior Brazil caps to his name.

Read more: Leipzig reject Newcastle bid for Benjamin Sesko

Estevao landed in England on Saturday after a well-earned break following this summer’s Club World Cup, having already visited London after his deal with the club was completed last year.

Speaking to the club website, Estevao said: “I am very happy, it feels very rewarding to represent Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world,’ Estevao said during his first day at Chelsea. ‘I am very happy and I hope to help the team in the best way possible.

“I had almost a year and a half to wait until I arrived here. But it has been a year and a half that I have worked hard and have done my best to get here in the best shape possible.

“I am very, very excited. It is a new experience in my life, a new stage. I am looking forward to it and hope that it will go as well as possible.”

He will face stiff competition for a spot at Stamford Bridge, needing to challenge players like Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, and Pedro Neto for a place in Enzo Maresca’s starting XI.

He may debut in a Chelsea shirt against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, ahead of the Blues’ Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17.

The versatile forward, adept at playing wide or centrally, and highlighting dribbling, passing, and finishing as his key strengths, cites Lionel Messi and fellow Brazilian Neymar as his childhood inspirations.

Read more: Newcastle turn down Liverpool bid for Alexander Isak