Chelsea sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in record British deal

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing AP and Reuters, reports that Chelsea have completed the signing of England forward Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in what is being described as a British transfer record. The clubs did not announce a fee, but media reports cited by Al Jazeera put the deal at £117 million, or about $156.5 million. That would edge past Elliot Anderson’s reported £116 million move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City earlier in July.

Rogers, 23, has agreed a contract with Chelsea running until 2033. The move keeps the all-time Premier League transfer record below the reported £125 million Liverpool paid Newcastle for Sweden striker Alexander Isak last year. Chelsea’s previous club-record signing was Moises Caicedo, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion for £115 million in 2023.

The transfer is a major early statement under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. Al Jazeera reports Rogers is the third significant offseason arrival at the London club, after wingbacks Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda. Chelsea are seeking improvement after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season and are scheduled to open their league campaign away to Fulham on August 24.

Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for a reported £8 million and went on to score 21 goals in 85 Premier League appearances for Villa. Last season, he helped Villa finish in the top four and win the Europa League. He made his England debut in November 2024, has earned 22 caps, and was part of the England team beaten by Argentina in the World Cup semifinals last week.