Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson has joined Chelsea from Villarreal.

The 21-year-old, who has been capped three times at senior international level, has signed an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Jackson was one of the brightest young players in Spain last season, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 16 starts and 10 substitute appearances in La Liga. 

Chelsea directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a joint statement: "We are excited to welcome Nicolas to Chelsea. He is a young player with big potential, as he showcased for Villarreal last season.

"We believe he is ready for this next step in his career and look forward to him working with our new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his Chelsea teammates."

According to the London Evening Standard, Chelsea have paid Villarreal a transfer fee of £32 million.

Jackson is the third striker to sign for Chelsea this summer.

France international Christopher Nkunku was the first after Chelsea agreed to pay £52m to buy him out of his contract with RB Leipzig.

Jackson and Nkunku will both be available to play for Chelsea immediately and will likely make their debuts during the team's pre-season tour of the USA.

However, fans will have to wait a little longer to see fellow new signing Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards, who will officially join Chelsea from Jamaica's Phoenix All Stars Academy midway through the 2023/24 season following his 18th birthday in October.

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