Burnley Football Club has officially announced the signing of Nigerian-born French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea for a fee reportedly in excess of £20 million. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Turf Moor, marking a significant addition to the Clarets’ squad for the upcoming 2025/2026 season.
The transfer fee is similar to the £23.2 million Chelsea paid to acquire Ugochukwu from Rennes in 2023. Ugochukwu, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, expressed his enthusiasm for the move.
“It’s a great feeling to sign for Burnley,” Ugochukwu stated. “As soon as I was made aware of the club’s interest in signing me, I was keen to hear more about the project. I spoke to the manager and Maxime [Esteve], they were both so passionate about the club and the direction it’s heading in. It feels like this is the perfect move for me at this stage of my career with the ambition the club is showing.”
Ugochukwu was not a part of Chelsea’s long-term plans under new manager Enzo Maresca, having trained separately from the main squad. He made 15 appearances in his first campaign at Stamford Bridge before his loan spell.
In a related deal, Chelsea striker Armando Broja, 23, has also completed a permanent transfer to Burnley for an unconfirmed fee reported to be around £20 million.
Sunderland Secure Loan Signing of Marc Guiu
In a separate move, Sunderland has confirmed the season-long loan signing of Chelsea’s teenage striker Marc Guiu for the 2025/2026 season. Guiu, 19, joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £5 million in July 2024 and scored six goals in 16 matches last season. He described himself as “a powerful striker” and “a natural goalscorer.”
“This year is a huge opportunity for me to help take this team where it truly deserves to be, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Guiu.
Sunderland, who earned promotion to the Premier League in May by defeating Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, have now made nine signings this summer. Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman thanked Chelsea for their cooperation, stating, “In a loan acquisition, we not only have to convince the player but also the parent club, and we thank Chelsea for placing their trust in us.”
Guiu is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy and famously scored 33 seconds into his debut for the Spanish club in October 2023
