Transfer: Chelsea announce first signing of Xabi Alonso era

Chelsea person officially announced the archetypal signing of the Xabi Alonso epoch astatine Stamford Bridge, handing defender Marco Palestra a semipermanent contract.

The nine confirmed that they person signed Marco Palestra connected a seven-year deal, having paid Atalanta implicit £43 cardinal for the young defender.

The Blues intimately monitored the 21-year-old’s advancement during his indebtedness astatine Cagliari past play and were contemplating a determination for the adaptable defender.

However, for overmuch of the summer, Inter Milan appeared to beryllium the frontrunners for Palestra’s signature.

While negotiations betwixt Inter and Atalanta regarding a interest for the Italian planetary were ongoing, Chelsea entered with a much lucrative connection to the Serie A side.

Subsequently, reaching an statement connected idiosyncratic presumption with Palestra was straightforward, allowing the woody to beryllium finalized quickly.

Palestra marks the archetypal signing—aside from a fewer pre-agreements—of the Xabi Alonso epoch astatine Stamford Bridge.

In a connection to the club’s media team, the Italian said, “Many factors influenced my determination to articulation Chelsea, 1 of the premier clubs globally.

“I americium thrilled to statesman this journey. I person felt the enthusiasm since the infinitesimal Chelsea exp...