The "crazy amount" that surprised everyone has finally materialized... Chelsea signs Rogers for 231 billion won, setting a 'British all-time record fee' [Official]

*This content was translated by AI.

The "crazy amount" that even football experts found shocking has finally become reality. The English Premier League (EPL) club Chelsea invested a staggering 117 million pounds (approximately 231 billion won) to sign Morgan Rogers, 23.

On the 22nd (Korean time), Chelsea announced Rogers' signing through its official website and social media channels. Rogers' former club, Aston Villa, also confirmed the news.

According to UK broadcaster Sky Sports, Rogers has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea. The deal includes an option for a one-year extension, allowing him to wear the Chelsea jersey until 2033 at the latest.

Both clubs did not disclose the specific transfer fee. However, Reuters reported that "British media have stated Rogers' transfer fee reached 117 million pounds," adding that "this makes Rogers the most expensive British player in history."

Previously, it was reported that Manchester City, also in the EPL, paid up to 116 million pounds (approximately 230 billion won) to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson. Yet, Rogers surpassed Anderson's record by just a margin of one million pounds shortly after. This means the record for the highest-ever transfer fee for a British player was broken twice this summer alone.

Rogers also set a new club record for Chelsea's highest transfer fee. In 2023, Chelsea signed Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion for 115 million pounds (approximately 228 billion won). However, just three years later, Rogers has overtaken Caicedo to become the most expensive player in Chelsea's history.

Rogers also secured second place on the all-time EPL transfer fee list. Last year, Liverpool paid Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) 116.5 million pounds (approximately 230.9 billion won) to sign German national team midfielder Florian Wirtz. Rogers' transfer fee exceeds this by 500,000 pounds.

The all-time EPL record for the highest transfer fee is held by Liverpool striker Alexander Isak. Last year, when Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool, he set a transfer fee of 125 million pounds (approximately 248 billion won).

Through Chelsea's official channels, Rogers stated, "I am truly delighted. For me, Chelsea is the largest club in London and the team I have admired since childhood."

He continued, "I have great expectations for the project with the new manager, the current squad, and the direction the club is heading. That is why I came to Chelsea. I can't wait to get started."

Rogers, who holds English nationality, is a versatile attacking resource capable of playing as both wide wingers and an attacking midfielder. Since joining Aston Villa in 2024, he quickly grew into the team's ace. Last season, he scored 10 goals in the EPL, setting a personal record for most league goals in a single season.

He also delivered decisive performances in the UEFA Europa League. Rogers scored against Freiburg (Germany) in the final, leading Aston Villa to a 3-0 victory. This marked the first time since 1982 that Villa reached the summit of major European competitions. In total, Rogers made 125 official appearances for Aston Villa, scoring 31 goals.

He has also established himself as a key player for the England national team. Making his A-match debut in 2024, he appeared in seven of England's eight matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Thanks to this transfer, Aston Villa has secured an enormous profit. The club had signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in 2024 for 117 million pounds (approximately 32 billion won). Just two years later, they sold him to Chelsea for more than seven times the original investment amount.

Rogers' previous club, Middlesbrough, also achieved an unexpected windfall. When selling Rogers to Aston Villa, Middlesbrough included a sell-on clause in the contract, entitling them to a portion of any future transfer fee. As a result, with this Chelsea transfer now complete, they will receive an additional approximately 20.3 million pounds (about 41 billion won).

Middlesbrough had invested just 117 million pounds (approximately 2.2 billion won) to sign Rogers from Manchester City in 2023. Combining the original transfer fee received from Aston Villa and this sell-on amount, Middlesbrough has generated total profits exceeding 700 billion won from Rogers alone.

However, there are also critical perspectives surrounding Rogers' astronomical transfer fee. While it is clear that Rogers is an outstanding player, questions have been raised as to whether he truly deserves a price tag exceeding 1 million won pounds.

According to UK outlet TalkSport, renowned football commentator Paul Merson criticized the prediction that Rogers' transfer fee would exceed 1 million won pounds, calling it a "crazy amount." Merson also pointed out doubts about whether Chelsea, which already possesses attacking midfield resources such as Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, truly needed to invest such a large sum in Rogers.

Nevertheless, experts' concerns ultimately materialized. Rogers surpassed the expected 1 million won pounds, signing with Chelsea for a record-breaking 117 million pounds—the highest fee ever paid for a British player.

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*This content was translated by AI.