From Strasbourg To Stardom: Chelsea Land France U20 Sensation Mamadou Sarr!Chelsea have completed the signing of highly-rated French defender Mamadou Sarr from RC Strasbourg in a deal worth £12 million.
The 19-year-old has signed a long-term contract that will see him remain at Stamford Bridge until 2033, becoming the first player to transfer between Chelsea and Strasbourg under the shared ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s BlueCo consortium.
Though the agreement was reached earlier in January, the move was finalized this summer after Sarr delivered a standout season in Ligue 1. The France U20 international featured in 28 matches across all competitions, helping Strasbourg clinch a 7th-place league finish and qualify for the UEFA Conference League play-offs.
Sarr, known for his poise and intelligence in defense, came through the academies of RC Lens and Olympique Lyonnais. He made his senior debut with Lyon during the 2022–23 season and later had a brief loan spell at Belgian club RWD Molenbeek before signing for Strasbourg last August. There, he quickly established himself as a key starter, making 27 Ligue 1 starts in the 2024–25 season.
Chelsea announced the signing in an official statement:
“Chelsea is delighted to confirm the transfer of Mamadou Sarr from Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg, with the defender signing a contract until 2033.”
Sarr is expected to join Enzo Maresca’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month. Chelsea will face MLS champions LAFC on June 16, followed by matches against Flamengo on June 20 and ES Tunis on June 25.
His arrival marks Chelsea’s fourth acquisition of the summer, joining Liam Delap (£30m from Ipswich Town), Estevão (£29m from Palmeiras), and Dario Essugo (£18m from Sporting Lisbon).
