Christian Pulisic will join Chelsea in the summer for £58million, his club Borussia Dortmund have confirmed.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed in November that the American attacking midfielder was set for a switch to Stamford Bridge as Dortmund accepted they had to cash in on a player who was out of contract in 2020.
After confirmation of the move, the 20-year-old said: ‘In summer I move on to Chelsea and to a new competition, the English Premier League. It’s a privilege to have signed for such a legendary club and I look forward to working hard towards being a contributor to their team of world class players.’
? @cpulisic_10 wechselt im Sommer zum @ChelseaFC!
Der BVB hat sich mit dem FC Chelsea auf einen Transfer von Christian #Pulisic mit sofortiger Wirkung geeinigt, Chelsea wiederum leiht den 20-Jährigen bis zum Saisonende an den BVB aus.
Alle Infos ? https://t.co/HmGsGzfp7D pic.twitter.com/I6dM1NtiuA
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 2, 2019
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘We are delighted to have signed one of Europe’s most sought-after young players.
‘Christian has shown his quality during a fantastic spell in Germany and at just 20, we believe he has the potential to become an important Chelsea player for many years to come.
‘We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge in the summer and wish him and Dortmund every success for the remainder of the season.’
Having spent his teenage years at the club who gave him a chance to shine, Pulisic opted to pen an open letter to Dortmund supporters to pay thanks.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I will be entering my final months at your world-famous club,’ it begins.
Liebe Borussen ?? (????) pic.twitter.com/nAKgF1sHdI
— Christian Pulisic (@cpulisic_10) January 2, 2019
‘It feels like only yesterday that I arrived in Dortmund as a raw, excited, very nervous but exceptionally proud 16-year-old from a small American town called Hershey. I had no idea what lay ahead but I soon discovered that as a young black and yellow player, I would be in the best possible hands.
‘I would not be where I am today without the Club and their belief in giving young players a chance. It’s been an honour and a dream to pull on the black and yellow in front of the Sudtribune!
‘Many, many memorable moments stand out – to have experienced all of them before my 20th birthday still feels, at times, like a dream. I would like to thank all those coaches who I have played under and who gave me these opportunities.
‘And to my amazing team-mates throughout the years: You took me in as a young boy, shared your experience with me, helped me to develop and grow into a professional footballer. For this I sincerely thank you.
‘To our unbelievable fans: It’s been a privilege to stand with you on the Sudtribune and to experience how you support your heroes. I feel honoured to have been able to make the trip from being supporter, to being supported. You have taken me in as one of your own. Thank you.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
Age: 20
Born: Pennsylvania, USA
Teams: Borussia Dortmund – 115 apps 15 goals
United States – 23 caps 9 goals
‘I would also like to thank Mr. Watzke and Mr Zorc. It was very important to me that I handled my situation in as fair and professional manner as possible towards the Club. So I thank them for finding a solution that was a win-win for everyone.
‘For the next six months, it’s all BVB! Please do not doubt my passion, determination and my 110% commitment to the team right until the last ball is kicked this season.
‘We all feel that this is ‘our year’ and we are determined to achieve the best possible results in all competitions.’
A move for Pulisic will spark fresh fears over the future of star man Eden Hazard as he continues to mull over his long-term future at the club amid interest from La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid.
The emergence of Jadon Sancho at Dortmund this season has seen Pulisic’s opportunities limited at times and with his contract winding down a move to the Premier League was inevitable.
He has been at the club since the age of 16 and with the club on course to win their first Bundesliga title since 2011-12, it is important for the club to retain Pulisic until the end of the current campaign.
There had been talk of a price in the region of £70m previously, but that has come down with the prospect of losing him for nothing in 2020.
‘It was always Christian’s dream to play in the Premier League. That certainly has to do with his American background, and as a result we were unable to extend his contract,’ Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said.
‘Against this background, we have decided to accept an extremely lucrative bid by Chelsea, given the low contract maturity.’
‘Christian Pulisic is a character perfect player. I am sure that in the coming months he will do everything in his power to bring his high quality to the team and to achieve his sporting goals with his team-mates Borussia Dortmund.’
It is a big move for Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri as he adds to his options for next season
Speaking to Sportsmail before facing England in a friendly at Wembley in November, Pulisic insisted a Premier League move is a ‘dream’ growing up in the US.
‘England, the Premier League, is a league where lots of kids dream of playing so there is no reason why maybe one day I won’t play here,’ he said.
Previously it was thought Pulisic would seek a reunion with former boss Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but Chelsea have stolen a march on the Merseyside club.
Klopp tabled an £11m bid for him back in 2016 but the Bundesliga giants swiftly rejected it.
The American has netted 15 goals in 115 games for Dortmund since making his debut as a teenager back in 2016. In 18 appearances this season, Pulisic has netted three times.
