Chelsea don announce say dem sign Italian international Marco Palestra from Serie A club Atalanta. The 21-year-old defender don sign contract wey go run until 2033, and e go join im new teammates for pre-season under manager Xabi Alonso.
Palestra, wey dem name Serie A Defender of the Year last season, talk say: ‘A lot of things convince me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs for the world. I dey very excited to start. I don feel the energy since the first day Chelsea want me. I can’t wait to start, see all the fans, my teammates and the manager. We get so many talented players here, a very strong squad and manager for Xabi. E don talk to me about how e want us to play, wey dey exciting, and we can’t wait to compete for the Premier League.’
After im impressive 2025/26 campaign on loan at Cagliari, Palestra arrive at Stamford Bridge with strong reputation across European football. E feature for 37 league games for Cagliari last season, with im performances as full-back and wing-back, on both flanks, dey stand out for Italian top flight. Palestra earn im senior debut for Italy earlier this year, wey quickly follow by a second cap for the Azzurri.
