When will Gabriel Slonina join Chelsea?
The Premier League side have agreed to sign the American goalkeeper in a $15 million deal and he is expected to arrive in January.
After weeks of negotiations, the Chicago Fire and Chelsea have reached a $15 million agreement for goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina. The initial fee for the United States youth international is $10 million, but with add-ons it could increase by $5 million.
Slonina went the full 90 minutes in the Fire’s 3-1 win over Vancouver over the weekend and traveled to London after the game to complete his medical examination. The 18-year-old will then sign his new deal, but will return to the United States to play on loan for Chicago for the remainder of the 2022 Major League Soccer season.
Slonina on his way to London
Chicago Fire are making a late push to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs this season but they sit in eighth place in the standings in the Eastern Conference. They have 11 games left to secure a spot and Slonina will be a key player in their aspirations of returning to the playoffs this campaign.
Once the season is over for the Fire, regardless of whether they qualify for the playoffs or not, Slonina will join Chelsea on 1 January for the second half of the Premier League campaign. The Chicago Fire product has made 28 appearances so far this season and kept 10 clean sheets.
The United States men’s national team-eligible keeper is expected to become second choice at Chelsea behind Édouard Mendy, because Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to be transferred to Napoli this summer.