Chelsea sign Napoli defender Koulibaly on four-year deal / Photo: Alberto PIZZOLI - AFP
-
Pino, Williams injuries mar Spain's World Cup progress
-
World Cup fans get taste of American life -- at the mall
-
'Struggle continues' in Bolivia's Morales heartland
-
World Cup turns New York's Times Square into global fan hub
-
Bielsa accepts blame for World Cup exit, but says Uruguay deserved more
-
Lebanon, Israel and US sign trilateral framework pact
-
Uruguay crash out of World Cup as Spain avoid Argentina clash
-
Cape Verde extend World Cup fairytale to set up Argentina meeting
-
Swiss glaciers facing drastic loss from heatwave: expert
-
Messi to start dead-rubber World Cup group match on bench
-
Trump unveils new US passport -- with picture of himself
-
US and Iran trade strikes putting new strain on Mideast ceasefire
-
Hat-trick hero Dembele displays Ballon d'Or brilliance for France at World Cup
-
Maple Leafs make teen McKenna top pick in NHL Draft
-
Injured England defender James to miss Panama game at World Cup
-
California appeals court orders Weinstein resentencing for sex assault
-
Norway coach defends decision to leave out Haaland, Odegaard against France
-
Scheffler fires 60 to grab 36-hole PGA Travelers lead
-
Movie theaters are allies for streamers like us, Apple exec says
-
Austria's Rangnick shuts down conspiracy talk ahead of Algeria World Cup clash
-
DR Congo must take risks to keep World Cup 'dream alive', says Desabre
-
Should we fear an AI bubble bust?
-
Jangoo, Chase keep West Indies in touch against Sri Lanka
-
US strikes Iran sites after cargo ship attack
-
Dembele hat-trick as France swat Norway, Senegal stay alive
-
Gueye double keeps Senegal's World Cup hopes alive
-
Dembele hits hat-trick as France thrash second-string Norway at World Cup
-
US stocks recover from tech tremors as oil prices fall
-
Globalization isn't dead, just 'transformed,' says IMF chief economist
-
OpenAI restricts limited release of new model to US only
-
Israel and Lebanon hail Washington deal, rejected by Hezbollah
-
Scheffler fires 60 to grab early PGA Travelers lead
-
Usyk -- pugilist who kept Ukrainian spirits high in darkest days
-
Trump blasts 'godless' Democrats in incendiary speech to evangelicals
-
Orange wave: Dutch World Cup dream gathers pace
-
Venezuela earthquakes kill 920, tens of thousands missing
-
Swiss nuclear plant shut down due to heatwave
-
Hundred hero Duckett punishes New Zealand after Stokes sparks England revival
-
American businesswoman Michele Kang buys French club Lyon
-
South Korea coach bereft of answers with World Cup hopes on knife-edge
-
Lebanon, Israel, US sign trilateral framework agreement in Washington
-
Mistrial declared in deadly Los Angeles fire case
-
Antonelli scores 'double top' for Mercedes as Russell warns of McLaren threat
-
Verstappen wants to stay at Red Bull – in a fast car, says Mekies
-
Australia eye 'something special' after reaching World Cup last 32
-
Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts
-
UK sets new June temperature record for third day in a row: Met Office
-
Germany sees hottest temperature on record of 41.3C: weather service
-
AI abuse deterring good MPs: incoming IPU chief
-
Teenager Antonelli dominates practice for Austrian GP
Chelsea sign Napoli defender Koulibaly on four-year deal
Senegal international defender Kalidou Koulibaly has signed a four-year deal with Chelsea from Serie A club Napoli, the Premier League club said on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Senegal captain becomes the second signing after Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling since Todd Boehly's consortium bought the club.
"I'm very happy to be here with this team at Chelsea," said Koulibaly.
"It's a big team in the world and my dream was always to play in the Premier League. Chelsea came first to get me in 2016 but we didn't make it. Now when they came to me I accepted it because they really wanted me to come to the Premier League to play for them.
"When I spoke to my good friends Edou (Mendy) and Jorginho they made my choice easier."
Koulibaly, who led Senegal to the African Cup of Nations title earlier this year, joined Napoli from Genk in 2014 and made 317 appearances for the Italian side. He won the Italian Cup title in 2020.
His arrival at Stamford Bridge follows the departures of defenders Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, both on free transfers.
"Koulibaly is a natural leader and a strong character," Chelsea said in a statement.
"He has plenty of experience challenging for domestic and international titles and joins the Blues ahead of the 2022/23 campaign aiming to do just that."
N.Mitchell--AT