Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Spanish side Villarreal after triggering his €35million (£30m) release clause.
The 22-year-old Senegalese enjoyed a breakout campaign last season and has put pen to paper on an eight-year contract after successfully completing a medical last weekend.
Jackson had a largely unspectacular start to the 2022-23 campaign, only netting twice up to March after a hip problem kept him sidelined for nearly two months.
He actually came close to joining Bournemouth in January after the Cherries agreed a £22.5m fee with Villarreal but failed his medical due to a hamstring problem.
After overcoming his injury issues, however, he ended the season in blistering form and netted nine goals in his final eight games as well as laying on two assists.
He was crowned as La Liga’s Player of the Month for May off the back of his astonishing form in front of goal, while he collected the Man of the Match award in four straight games.
Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said of Jackson’s arrival: ‘We are excited to welcome Nicolas to Chelsea.
‘He is a young player with big potential, as he showcased for Villarreal last season.
‘We believe he is ready for this next step in his career and look forward to him working with our new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his Chelsea teammates.’
… Nic Jackson! 💙 pic.twitter.com/IRFcrXnXf6
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 30, 2023
Chelsea hope the arrival of Jackson – who was playing in the second division of Spanish football little over a year ago – will bring more firepower to an attack that struggled massively for goals last season.
Incredibly, the Blues netted just 38 times in the Premier League – less than relegated sides Leicester City and Leeds United – while their top scorer was Kai Havertz on just seven.
The German has now left Stamford Bridge to join Arsenal in a £65m deal while Mason Mount (three goals) is on the verge of joining Manchester United and Joao Felix (four goals) has returned to Atletico Madrid after the conclusion of his loan.
That leaves Raheem Sterling (six goals) as the only player in the squad who netted more than three times last season.
The arrival of Jackson, coupled with the signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, should inject more goals and attacking intent into the team.
Despite injury limiting him to just 20 starts in the Bundesliga last season, the France international still ended the campaign as the league’s joint top scorer with 16 goals, while he racked up 33 goal involvements in the 2021-22 campaign.
After dealing with their attacking issues, Chelsea will now try to bolster their midfield with the club keen to bring in £80m-rated Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.