Romeo Lavia’s £58 million transfer from Southampton to Chelsea is completed as they give him a seven-year contract and the No. 45 jersey.

Romeo Lavia has joined Chelsea after the Blues concluded a £58 million ($74 million) deal to acquire the midfielder from Southampton.

The Saints accepted a bid of £53 million ($68 million) plus £5 million ($6 million) in add-ons, and the Belgian midfielder signed a seven-year deal with the London club. During the 2023–24 season, he will don the No. 45 jersey.

Lavia graduated from the development programme at Anderlecht, where he spent eight years before joining Manchester City at 16. However, before being transferred to Southampton, he only made one senior appearance for the Premier League champions. Despite the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League last year, Lavia was a standout midfielder who attracted the interest of Chelsea and Liverpool. Lavia turned down the Reds in favor of Chelsea in a transfer battle involving Moises Caicedo.

“I’m really happy to join Chelsea and participate in this exciting project. It’s an amazing football club with a great history, and I’m really excited to get started. I can’t wait to meet all my new teammates and build chemistry together to achieve great things together,” Lavia said after completing the move.

• They can’t possibly lose to Chelsea! Liverpool is planning a £60 million approach for midfielder Moises Caicedo after being rejected by Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

IN A PHOTO: Getty

WHAT NEXT? Lavia will hope to make his Chelsea debut against West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League, with £115 million ($146 million) signing Caicedo also likely to play a part at the London Stadium.