Pedro Netu, who reigned as the ace of Wolverhampton Wanderers, said goodbye shortly after the transfer.
Netu said goodbye to the Wolverhampton club and fans who had been with him for five years on his social network service (SNS) Instagram on the 12th (Korea Standard Time).
Chelsea officially announced on the club’s official website on the 11th that it had signed a contract with Netu.
Chelsea announced that it is pleased to announce the signing of Pedro Netu from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Netu and Chelsea signed a seven-year contract.
Netu officially greeted Chelsea fans for the first time at half-time of the pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Inter Milan at Stampford Bridge in London.
According to BBC, Chelsea have agreed with Wolverhampton on 63 million euros (93.9 billion won) including options for Netu transfer. The basic transfer fee is 60 million euros (89.5 billion won) and the additional option is 3 million euros (4.5 billion won).
Netu, who left Wolverhampton and wore a Chelsea jersey, told the club, “I’m really grateful to be joining Chelsea. I’ve worked really hard throughout my career to be here, and I’m looking forward to going on the pitch in a Chelsea jersey.”
Born in 2000, Portuguese winger Netu is one of the key Wolverhampton players. Having moved to Wolverhampton from Lazio (Italy) in the summer of 2019, Netu has scored 14 goals and 24 assists in 135 matches over the past five years. 안전놀이터
Netu, a left-footed winger who can play on both left and right sides, led Wolverhampton’s attack with Hwang Hee-chan in the 2023-24 season. Last season, he spent his career high season scoring three goals and 11 assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
In particular, he had a very good chemistry with Hwang Hee-chan at the beginning of the season. In the first half of last season, Hwang Hee-chan scored 10 goals in the league, three of which were scored by receiving Netu’s pass.
However, too many injuries have undermined Netu’s reputation. Since his transfer to Wolverhampton, Netu has been sidelined for 584 days for five years due to various injuries including calf, muscle, knee and ankle, and suffered two hamstring injuries last season. Netu’s injury was regrettable as he had been atop in Premier League assists by scoring one goal and seven assists in 10 league matches before his injury in October last year.
However, he was the most important ace in Wolverhampton’s team, as the difference between net and none determined Wolverhampton’s offense power. He conveyed his final greetings to Wolverhampton and his fans.
“My Wolves family, this is a tough one for me. It’s time to say goodbye to five years of great moments, high and low, and all those moments,” he said.
Netu said, “I remember the first time I wore an old golden uniform. I was so proud. From that moment on, you welcomed me like one of your players. You trusted me, lifted me up, and united me to make memories that I will carry for the rest of my life.”
“It’s not just about scoring goals or winning. It’s the bond, love and passion that we have created through this city and through this club. You gave me a sense of belonging and I will never forget.”
Netu also said, “Farewell is not easy. But I know this is a new chapter, not the end. I will always hold Wolves in my heart and thank each and every one of them for supporting and trusting me and making Wolves feel like home. Thank you for everything, Wolves family. I will miss you. But I know we will meet again. Until then, wherever I am, I will support Wolves. Once a wolf is a wolf forever.”
On Netu’s post, Hwang Hee-chan also commented with “heart” and “fireworks” emoticons, sending messages of love and support.