Rodgers, 23, is established as one of the Premier League’s top attacking talents and has signed a contract with the London outfit until 2033.
Published July 22, 2026
England World Cup forward Morgan Rodgers has completed a record UK transfer from Aston Villa to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The transfer fee has not been officially disclosed, but media reports on Tuesday said it was 117 million pounds (about $156.5 million), more than the 116 million pounds (about $155 million) that England teammate Elliott Anderson paid when he moved from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City earlier this month.
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The all-time record for a Premier League transfer remains the £125 million (approximately $167 million) that Swedish international striker Alexander Isak paid when he moved from Newcastle to Liverpool last year.
Rodgers, 23, is established as one of the Premier League’s top attacking talents and has signed a contract with the London outfit until 2033.
“I’m very excited,” he told the club’s website. “For me, Chelsea is the biggest club in London and it’s the club I’ve always admired since I was a child.
“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve signed and where the club is going. That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Rodgers becomes the third major signing made by new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso in the off-season, following wing-backs Marco Palestra and Giovani Quenda.
Rodgers was part of the England squad that defeated France at last week’s World Cup and finished third. In the semifinals, they lost to Argentina 2-1.
He scored 21 goals in 85 Premier League appearances for Villa, leading the club to a top-four finish and the Europa League title last season.
Rodgers joined Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for a fee of £8 million (approximately $10.5 million).
He made his debut for England in November 2024 and now has 22 caps for his country.
Chelsea’s previous biggest signing was Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023 for £115 million (approximately $150 million).
Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season, will begin their league match away to Fulham on August 24th.
