There are a number of high-profile players being linked with Chelsea at the moment across Europe. Thomas Tuchel has a lot of work to do on his backline going into the new season. The focus here though is on a shot-stopper for the future. MLS goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina has signed a long-term contract with the Blues, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Another MLS Goalkeeper Is Premier League Bound in Gabriel Slonina
Gabriel Slonina has just signed the contract with Chelsea after medical on Monday – finally sealed between clubs/player. ✅🔵🇺🇸 #CFC
▫️ Contract valid until June 2028, six year deal;
▫️ Slonina will stay at Chicago Fire on loan;
▫️ $15m add ons included.
Here we go confirmed. pic.twitter.com/rZevNmuZB6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2022
Breaking Down the Deal for Slonina
A decade or two ago, names such as Brad Friedel and Tim Howard were leading the charge when it came to being an American goalkeeper on English shores. In current times, though, goalkeepers making the move across the Atlantic is more common. Matt Turner has joined Arsenal after excelling in the sticks for the New England Revolution. Zack Steffen and Ethan Horvath started for Middlesbrough and Luton Town respectively on the weekend and Slonina is the next off of this production line.
They are in the middle of their season over in the States so whilst Slonina is being snapped up by Chelsea on a deal until 2028, he won’t be joining just yet and will remain at Chicago Fire until January 1st, with Chelsea allowing him to stay there on loan.
Gabriel Slonina is currently in London, now undergoing medical tests… then will sign long-term deal as new Chelsea player. 🔵🩺 #CFC
Club statement soon as documents are completed between clubs: $15m deal, add ons included. Slonina will stay @ Chicago on loan until January. pic.twitter.com/idgM1ShRXY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 1, 2022
The deal could reach as high as £12.3 million when add-ons are taken into consideration. Przemyslaw Frankowski joining Lens last year along with DeMarcus Beasley making the move to Europe are at the fore of the most expensive departures from the Chicago Fire. Slonina’s deal will blow these out of the water.
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A Bit About the MLS Goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina
As has been mentioned, Slonina is currently with the Chicago Fire. He is a homegrown player there and at just 18, and is the nailed-on starter as an MLS goalkeeper. Slonina broke out coming into this season and as Ezra Hendrickson’s side got started conceding just two goals in seven games in 2021, Slonina was at the heart of this defensive stability.
Read More: Every Premier League Transfer Completed in Summer 2022
As a league, there is a lot more stock being placed in success over there and the MLS goalkeeper is evidence of that. The Fire’s number one has made a mistake here and there but this is to be expected as an eighteen-year-old. Regardless of that, he is one of the top performing players in that position in the division alongside the likes of Djordje Petrovic in New England and the evergreen Andre Blake in Philadelphia.
