Borussia Dortmund has completed the permanent signing of England under-21 midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea, marking a decisive end to a summer-long negotiation and a nod to his potential to influence their attacking midfield for years to come.
The 21-year-old, who had impressed during a loan spell in the Bundesliga last season, has signed a five-year contract through 2030, with Dortmund paying approximately €25 million—roughly £24 million—including performance-related add-on clauses. The deal also reportedly includes a sell-on clause, ensuring the London club benefits from any future transfer windfalls.
This transaction follows Chukwuemeka’s impactful stint with Dortmund during the latter half of the 2024–25 season, when he featured in 17 competitive matches and scored once, demonstrating his dynamism and technical skill. Reports note that Dortmund’s strong conviction in his fit for the squad helped them negotiate the fee significantly below what Chelsea had initially sought—somewhere north of €30 million plus bonuses.
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From Chelsea’s perspective, the move provides both financial payoff and roster flexibility. Dortmund’s managing director Lars Ricken hailed Chukwuemeka as a “valuable addition,” while coach Niko Kovač, whose contract the club extended this summer, views him as a creative engine in the midfield.
Chelsea, meanwhile, continues its strategic rebalancing—offloading talent to clear space financially. The club’s broader summer activity has included sending Aaron Anselmino on loan to Dortmund and moving toward closing the gap under UEFA’s strict cost-control rules.
For Chukwuemeka, the move is a welcomed step. He expressed pride in “making Signal Iduna Park my footballing home,” and vowed to give everything to help Dortmund achieve collective goals.