Chelsea signed French defender Benoit Badiashile from Ligue 1 aspect Monaco for a price believed to be slightly below €40m ($42m) on Thursday.

The 21-year-old defender has signed a “seven-and-a-half-year contract”, Chelsea mentioned in a press release.

Badiashile has been a pivotal determine in Monaco and has helped the membership end third in Ligue 1 for the previous two seasons.

He made his worldwide debut by Didier Deschamps final September, though he was not chosen for the World Cup squad.

“The 1.89-foot Badiashile is a dominant defender within the air however equally snug with the ball beneath his ft, he can play brief passes from behind or change the sport with longer diagonals,” Chelsea mentioned in a press release.

“His great pace is a key characteristic and he has each again 4 and again three level expertise at membership degree.”

Badiashile mentioned he cannot wait to “begin enjoying in the very best league on this planet”.

The younger Frenchman may accomplice with the way more skilled Senegalese worldwide Kalidou Koulibaly, whom Chelsea signed for a reported price of £33m ($38m) final July.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and joint controller Behdad Eghbali mentioned they have been delighted to obtain the signing of one among Europe’s most promising defenders.

“He is a superb younger participant who has shortly constructed a powerful fame for himself and has great expertise for his younger age,” they mentioned in a joint assertion.

We’re assured that he can be an vital a part of our workforce within the years to come back.”

Badiashile won’t be concerned in a conflict with Manchester Metropolis at residence as Chelsea attempt to make it into the highest 4 on Thursday.

Chelsea are 10 factors away from their Champions League spot after a draw at Nottingham Forest on New 12 months’s and have received simply one among their final seven video games.

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