Official: Timo Werner signs for Chelsea
Chelsea have secured the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Chelsea have completed the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, the two clubs have announced.
The German international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Premier League side and will be joining his new teammates in July, subject to a medical.
According to reports, Chelsea have paid €53 million to trigger the release clause of Werner, who is set to earn more than €10 million per season in England.
"I had four great years in Leipzig. I can only thank those who made it so easy for me from the start at RB Leipzig, and supported me during some tough times: my team, the coaches and the board, club employees and above all the fans," Werner said in a statement and added:
"We achieved a lot together and I was able to develop a lot as a young player during my time here, and even became a Germany international. RB Leipzig have become a top club over these four years and I was able to grow together with the club. Leipzig is a fantastic city, RBL an attractive and entertaining club. I will fondly remember both of them and will miss a lot of things.
"I'm now going to the amazing city of London. It was clear to me that I would take this next step abroad - that was always my dream. So it's not a decision taken against Leipzig, just one to complete my dream of playing in the Premier League - the strongest league in the world. I now have the chance to play for one of Europe's top clubs. I'm looking forward to this adventure, the atmosphere and English football."
RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff commented:
"I’ve known Timo Werner for many years and his development is exemplary. He arrived in Leipzig as a striker in 2016 and since then has grown into one of the best forwards in the Bundesliga. His journey underlines our philosophy of developing young players with great potential. On the one hand, Timo’s move is a great loss. On the other, we view this transfer as a huge compliment of the work of our still young club and we’re very proud to have helped create an internationally renowned striker in just a few years, who is now moving to huge global club like Chelsea.
"We have always emphasised that it’s important for our business in Leipzig to sell players. Only with this transfer fee can we now continue growing step by step and continue to shape RB Leipzig internationally. The negotiations with Chelsea’s representatives were always respectful, fair and constructive. We wish Timo all the best for his next challenge in London."
Werner has made a total of 157 appearances for RB Leipzig, scoring 93 goals and making 40 assists.
Werder Bremen's Milot Rashica and RB Salzburg's Hee-Chan Hwang have been touted as possible replacements for the 24-year-old.