Chelsea sign veteran former England striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion on two-year contract - 'I've got fire in my belly'
Updated 01/08/2026 at 18:34 GMT+1
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Chelsea have completed the signing of Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 35-year-old former Arsenal and Manchester United striker scored 51 goals in 201 games for The Seagulls following his arrival in 2020.
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Welbeck, who has signed a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge, enjoyed his highest-scoring Premier League campaign last season, netting 13 goals as Brighton finished eighth, two places above Chelsea.
Confirming the transfer on their official website, Chelsea said: "The club are delighted to announce the signing of Danny Welbeck from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
"The striker, who has been capped 42 times by England, has signed a contract until 2028 and will join up with Xabi Alonso’s squad during our pre-season tour."
During a radio-style video message similar to how Morgan Rogers was unveiled earlier in the summer, Welbeck told supporters: "When you hear of the interest from Chelsea, it's something that fills you with such immense pride.
"Knowing the history of Chelsea, it's a club that wants to win trophies and is pushing to do that every single season.
"I’m really honoured to come to a club of this stature at what feels like a really exciting time. I know a few of the boys already and I’ve had fantastic conversations with the manager and already feel that connection.
"I’ve got that fire in my belly, and I'm ready to give everything for this club to make everyone at Chelsea, and the supporters, proud."
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler paid tribute to Welbeck, saying: ”It’s always sad to see a player and a person of Danny’s stature leave, and we are all sorry to see him go.
”Danny has been a pleasure to work with from the moment I arrived at the club. His professionalism, attitude and commitment set the standard here every day, and he has been a fantastic support to me, personally.
”As well as the quality he brought on the pitch, he was an important leader within the squad and a role model for our younger players. We are grateful for everything he has done for the club and wish him all the very best for the future."
Having risen through the Manchester United academy, the forward made his senior breakthrough in 2008 and quickly established himself as a promising talent.
During his time at Old Trafford, Welbeck made 142 appearances across all competitions, scoring 29 goals and providing 16 assists before completing a ÂŁ17 million move to Arsenal in 2014.
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Highlights: Welbeck at the double as Brighton down Liverpool
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At the Emirates Stadium, the former England international continued to make an impact, recording 32 goals and 13 assists in 126 appearances. However, after reaching the end of his contract in 2019, Welbeck departed Arsenal and joined Watford on a free transfer.
His spell at Vicarage Road was disrupted by relegation, but Welbeck soon returned to the top flight by signing for Brighton, where he would go on to enjoy some of the finest years of his career.
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Welbeck's impact at the Amex Stadium was instrumental in the club’s rise on the domestic and European stage, with his goals helping secure continental qualification on two occasions.
The forward played a particularly decisive role last season, scoring 13 of Brighton's 52 Premier League goals - accounting for 25% of their total - as The Seagulls earned a place in the UEFA Conference League.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom paid tribute to Welbeck's influence and the lasting impression he made during his six-year spell at the club.
"Danny has made an incredible contribution to Brighton & Hove Albion during his six years with the club," he told the club's website.
"His performances, goals and experience played a key role in some of the most important moments in our recent history, while his character and leadership made him a hugely respected figure within the club.
"On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Danny for his outstanding service and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”
Welbeck’s arrival also represents a notable shift in Chelsea’s recent transfer strategy. According to Sky Sports, the forward becomes the first player aged over 26 that the club have paid a transfer fee for since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined four years ago.
The move also marks the return of an experienced player to Chelsea’s squad, with The Blues not having featured a player aged over 30 since Thiago Silva's final appearance for the club more than two years ago.
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