OFFICIAL: Chelsea sign Napoli midfielder Jorginho

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Chelsea have officially completed the signing of Napoli and Italy midfielder Jorginho for reported £57m, who has signed a five-year contract with Blues and will wear the no.5 shirt.

Jorge Luiz Frello Filho, best known as Jorginho, was born on December 20, 1991 in Brazil. The midfielder moved to Italy at the age of 15, and began his professional career with the Verona youth team, before being promoted to the senior team.

During the 2010–11 season, he was sent on loan to Sambonifacese. In January 2014, he moved to Napoli, where he immediately won the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana.

At Napoli, Jorginho has earned 160 caps delivering 6 goals & 14 assists. He has also made 8 appearances for Italy national team.

Official Statement

Jorginho has followed Maurizio Sarri from Napoli to Chelsea and in doing so becomes our first signing of the summer.

He has signed a five-year contract and will wear the no.5 shirt.

Jorginho said: ‘I am absolutely ecstatic to be here at Chelsea. It is not easy to become part of such a big team so I am very, very happy. I am excited to play in such an intense league, for a team that gives everything to play and win.’

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Club director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘We are delighted Jorginho has chosen to join Chelsea. He was one of the most coveted midfielders in Europe and will become an important member of the playing squad. He has demonstrated his quality working under Maurizio Sarri and we are convinced his signing will help bring further success to Stamford Bridge.’

From his position as a deep-lying playmaker in a midfield trio, Jorginho was a vital cog in Sarri’s Napoli. The 26-year-old is a highly technical footballer capable of dictating the tempo of play in possession with quick passing and movement.

In Naples, his ability to link defence and attack stood out. Indeed, in Europe’s big five leagues last season, no player had more touches of the ball per minute than Jorginho.

Alongside his technical qualities, he is a combative player willing to put his foot in to regain possession, and his positioning without the ball further aids his effectiveness in front of the defence.

Jorginho is the perfect fit for Sarri’s high-tempo, possession-based style of play and he will look to continue from where he left off in Italy, the country for whom he has eight caps at international level.

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