Malo Gusto: Chelsea completes seventh signing after 19 years old defender joined from Lyon on six and half years deal

Malo Gusto, a 19-year-old fullback from Lyon, has officially signed with Chelsea on a six-and-a-half-year deal.

According to Reportminds Blog, the Frenchman will return to the Ligue 1 team on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Following Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, and David Datro Fofana, Gusto is Graham Potter's eighth signing of the window.

When Reece James returns to the team during the summer, the 19-year-old fullback will give Potter solid support and competition for him.

Malo Gusto is one of the most highly regarded young right-backs in the world, having made 54 appearances for the senior team, and also represents France at the Under-21 level. He has five assists from defense but hasn't yet scored a senior goal.

Prior to the 2023–24 season, Gusto will formally join his new teammates after agreeing to a six–and–a–half–year deal that would keep him with the squad through 2030. Gusto will officially remain a member of Lyon until the end of June, as club president Jean-Michel Aulas stated on Friday.

Gusto will continue to play consistent first-team minutes by being returned on loan to Lyon for the duration of the campaign, which will help him develop as a player. Even if there are still a few days remaining in the window, the purchase brings the Blues' total January spending to £213.7 million.