Chelsea have officially announced the signing of Marco Palestella, with a contract running until 2033.

Chelsea Football Club has officially confirmed the signing of Italian international Marco Palestella. The 21-year-old defender has ended his time at Atalanta and signed a long-term contract with Chelsea until 2033. He will now begin pre-season training with manager Xabi Alonso.

Marco Palestella, who was named Serie A's best defender last season, said when talking about joining Chelsea: "There are many reasons that prompted me to make this decision. Chelsea is one of the top clubs in world football, and I am happy to start a new chapter in my career. From the moment the club first contacted me, I felt their recognition of me. I can't wait to get into training and meet the fans, my teammates, and the manager."

"The team has gathered many outstanding players, making the overall squad very competitive, and also has an excellent head coach like Xabi Alonso. He has explained the team's future development direction and tactical philosophy to me, which makes me even more excited for the new season. I can't wait to step onto the Premier League pitch and meet the challenges with the team."

During his loan spell at Cagliari in the 2025/26 season, Marco Palestella delivered an impressive performance, earning widespread acclaim in European football for his consistent and outstanding play. Last season, he made 37 appearances for Cagliari in Serie A, showcasing his brilliance whether playing as a left-back, right-back, or wing-back, establishing himself as one of the league's top wing defenders.

At the beginning of this year, Marco Palestella made his debut for the Italian national team, and shortly thereafter donned the Azzurri jersey again, making his second appearance for the national team.

Image source: Internet/Chelsea official website