Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Portuguese forward Joao Felix from LaLiga side Atletico Madrid on a loan deal until the end of 2022-23 season.
In what has sparked massive excitement among Chelsea supporters, the Blues on Wednesday confirmed the signing of Portuguese forward Joao Felix from La Liga side Atletico Madrid. The 23-year-old 'artist' has moved to Stamford Bridge on a loan deal until the end of the 2022-23 season.
The artist has arrived. π
Welcome to Chelsea, Joao Felix! pic.twitter.com/hVS7UuG6gT
In response to a disappointing run of performances that saw them win just two of their last ten games and drop them to 10th place in the Premier League standings, Graham Potter has moved to add Felix to his team.
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"I grew up thinking about being a professional footballer. I am a player that wants to have the ball and play with happiness. I am really excited and it's a dream come true," said Felix in his introductory video on the club's social media handles.
Made with flair! π pic.twitter.com/3s2EWk2M3u
β Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)From Joao Felix, to you! π pic.twitter.com/KpmkMnk2l6
β Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)Although Atletico has also stated that FΓ©lix has signed a new contract with the club until 2027 before his temporary move to England, The Athletic claimed on Monday that Chelsea would pay roughly 11 million euros for the six-month loan agreement.
Felix signed for Atletico Madrid from Benfica for 126 million euros in 2019, becoming the fourth-most expensive transfer in the history of the game, but his time at the Wanda Metropolitano has been mixed with highs and lows.
Under Diego Simeone, the Portuguese forward has been in and out of the team, scoring 34 goals and dishing out 18 assists in 131 games. In 2021, he assisted the club in winning La Liga. The playmaker also scored four goals in 28 international matches for his nation.
The time is now! π
β Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)Chelsea fans are ecstatic to have Felix onboard, but football enthusiasts mocked the club for introducing the Portuguese player with #HolaFelix instead of #OlaFelix, noting that the 23-year-old is not Spanish! Other fans welcomed the move, and hoped he will bring a fresh air of relief at Stamford Bridge as the club tries to make their way into the Top 4 this season.
"Most talented player we've had since Hazard," noted one Chelsea fan, while another added, "Who is the creator? This won't make me cash out my bet yet until a creator is signed."
Here's a look at the memes and comments flooding Twitter since Chelsea announced Felix's arrival:
Iβm seeing hola being used for a Portuguese player https://t.co/527BZX7Eac pic.twitter.com/bGPLztvInU
β Dee π―π²π¨πΊ (@ysIsanta)The artwork: https://t.co/iwEo1dwP2R pic.twitter.com/hh1Bc4268A
β ππ’π·π¦ ξ¨ (@GunnerXDave)Most talented player weβve had since hazard btw ππΎ https://t.co/2PPgDq5ZnL
β Dreezy (@dreezyCFC)dk why im excited knowing he'll flop https://t.co/3lfV6zD3aP pic.twitter.com/4ECG4TSmNg
β πΎ (@fa6zyy)It's Ola. https://t.co/osjl7uli8t
β La Liga Systems (@janufooty)Who is the creatorππ this wont make me cash out my bet yet ππ until a creator is signed https://t.co/p91K527xW3
β Bodmaxπππ₯ππ― (@BodmaxTips)He's not Spanish, lolz.
It's OlΓ‘. https://t.co/6W7NKml0TY
Gimme me that FPL price & position. A striker for 8m, preferably pls. https://t.co/oWDKBA4NoK
β Carl Anka (@Ankaman616)Who be this one https://t.co/lng98PCDM7 pic.twitter.com/30euCmdMA0
β Sixpin St Patrick's (@Iykemoor5)My favourite ever Chelsea XI has been updated https://t.co/41Cfd8Qi4I pic.twitter.com/qar2Wq03SY
β πΊ (@CinephiIeEra)When your 10 points off relegation but you sign a bad boy looool https://t.co/F7oDZcuJnS pic.twitter.com/5rngyQzcgQ
β Whiz (@JayWhiz9)I cant ffs https://t.co/s4eJRw6JbX pic.twitter.com/1Zdz0pHwbD
β MT (@MontanasTerror)welcome starboy π« pic.twitter.com/a2Q0yJOGmA https://t.co/idWEkgZDpE
β sarah (@MAS0NMOUNT)I honestly believe that Joao Felix will be a good Chelsea signing. And it's more timely than panic. https://t.co/BZXNuwMTmE
β The Pride of London (@PrideOLondon)The club just greeted him in Spanish btw πππ he's Portuguese!! It's actually off to a great start https://t.co/rvODhWqVKL
β Adrian (@adrianm_14)Followed him since Benfica days! Wanted Chelsea to sign him before he joined Atleti. I know itβs only a loan and hope we buy him permanently in the summer.
Just seeing him in a Chelsea shirt is a Dream come true as a fan!!
Welcome to Chelsea!! π€π½ https://t.co/NzXxJrCerf
Nutmegs back at the bridge https://t.co/iFd56HqRjX pic.twitter.com/rDj9zMVsSz
β π (@achristensenn4)This hurts so much https://t.co/akioeYmX1b pic.twitter.com/PgTaS4d9j0
β Hussein (@HussiRojiblanco)Late Title Charge https://t.co/tsxyoU2wbi pic.twitter.com/sXkuckIPKh
β faris (@fxris04)Welcoming your new signing in the wrong language π€¦ββοΈ https://t.co/Fps4VeAdnP
β Reubs (@ReubenPinder)The art work that he will cook up under Potter https://t.co/rvODhWqVKL pic.twitter.com/X3wyge22ue
β Adrian (@adrianm_14)Chelsea have signed an Artist! π¨
Now βIβd rather watch paint dry than Chelsea this seasonβ can become a reality https://t.co/C6evZgERkR