Gabriel Slonina signs six-year contract with Chelsea

The American goalkeeper signed a new contract with the Premier League side that will see him with Chelsea through June 2028.

Mike Dinovo

Rodrigo Serrano

Update: Aug 2nd, 2022 16:42 EDT

Gabriel Slonina helped the Chicago Fire defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 over the weekend and then traveled to London to finalize his deal with Chelsea FC. The United States men’s national team-eligible goalkeeper arrived in the British capital on Monday to undergo his medical examination before signing his new contract will see him stay with the Premier League side through June 2028.

Source confirms a verbal agreement is in place for Slonina: $10 million base fee for the Fire, with escalators to take it higher. Big fee that can have impact throughout Fire organization, from GAM to expenditures down the academy, etc. https://t.co/WRZj3c8mDq
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) July 30, 2022

Slonina will stay on loan at Chicago

After weeks of negotiations, the deal was finally sealed between the Chicago Fire, Chelsea FC and Slonina. The American goalkeeper will be returning later this week to the windy city where he will remain until November, on loan with the Fire for the remainder of the 2022 Major League Soccer campaign.

Slonina will be available to join the Blues in January and if Kepa’s loan to Napoli is finalized, the American goalkeeper will become Chelsea’s number two man, behind Mendy. Including add-ons, the deal was worth $15 million, and Slonina becomes the fifth most expensive transfer in MLS history.

Gabriel Slonina has completed a permanent transfer to Chelsea! ✍️

The 18-year-old joins from Chicago Fire where he will return on loan to complete their season before moving to London at the start of 2023.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 2, 2022