Chelsea complete £117m Morgan Rogers signing from Aston Villa – as he breaks record for most-expensive British player

Morgan Rogers has become the most expensive British player in history, after joining Chelsea in a £117million transfer from Aston Villa.

Rogers has signed a six-year contract at the Blues with an option for a further year.

The England international was linked with a move to Premier League champions Arsenal this summer, but has chosen their London rivals instead.

And in a slight dig towards the Gunners, Rogers declared he has joined ‘the biggest club’ in the English capital.

‘I’m joining the biggest club in London,’ he said in his announcement video.

‘The way the club wants to go and how it wants to move forward is something I want to be a part of. I think it was just perfect for me. I just can’t wait to get going.’

Rogers becomes the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history, surpassing the £107m spent on Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez in 2023.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will hope the talented Rogers can add some much-needed firepower to a side that finished 10th in the Premier League last season.

The 23-year-old leaves Villa after contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances last season – helping them win the Europa League on the way.

Rogers, who was previously on the books of Manchester City, joined Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 in a deal worth £8m, rising to £15m.

Due to a clause giving Middlesbrough 20 per cent of any profit made by Villa for selling Rogers in the future, the Championship club will earn at least £20.4m from his transfer to Chelsea, depending on how many add-ons have been triggered at Villa Park.