Mamadou Sarr Joins Chelsea on Eight-Year Contract

London, England — Chelsea Football Club confirmed the signing of 19-year-old centre-back Mamadou Sarr from RC Strasbourg on Monday. The transfer comes after the club agreed on a fee of approximately £11.9 million ($16.1 million) earlier this year.

Sarr joins Chelsea on an eight-year contract running until 2033, marking his entry into the Premier League after a successful season with Strasbourg. During the 2024/25 campaign, he made 28 appearances and was a regular starter under coach Liam Rosenior.

This transfer is significant as Sarr is the first player acquired from Strasbourg since the French club came under the ownership of Todd Boehly‘s consortium, BlueCo, in 2023. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his excitement about the signing, stating, “This is a great opportunity for Mamadou to develop with us and showcase his potential at the Club World Cup.”

An assessment of Sarr’s future will follow the tournament, where he is expected to participate. There is speculation about the possibility of a loan move back to Strasbourg for further development, as the club looks to create depth in their defensive lineup.

In addition to Sarr, Chelsea has announced two other signings this summer: striker Liam Delap for £30 million ($40.6 million) and midfielder Dário Essugo for £18.5 million ($25 million) from Sporting CP. The team is also preparing for the upcoming Club World Cup, with Sarr and young goalkeeper Mike Penders joining the squad for the tournament.

Sarr’s impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. The young defender first drew attention during his time at RC Lens and then continued to build on his potential at Lyon before moving to Strasbourg. He has also represented France at various youth levels, including the Under-19s and Under-20s, demonstrating his promising talent on an international stage.

Chelsea looks forward to integrating Sarr into their squad as they prepare for the upcoming challenges of the season.