Chelsea have officially announced the signing of seasoned England midfielder Jordan Henderson on a free transfer after his mutual departure from Brentford. Henderson, 36, has committed to a two-year contract with the club.

This move aligns with Chelsea's summer goal to bolster Xabi Alonso's squad with experienced players, following the recent addition of 35-year-old Danny Welbeck. Henderson expressed his enthusiasm, stating, 'The opportunity to join a club of this magnitude, with a manager I hold in high regard and a talented squad, was too great to pass up.' He also praised the ownership's commitment to the club's success. Henderson's focus is on dedicating himself fully to support his teammates and the club.

The signing marks a shift in Chelsea's strategy, having not featured a player over 30 in two years. This change is attributed to Alonso's influence, who successfully transformed Bayer Leverkusen by incorporating veteran players into a young team, leading them to become invincible double winners in 2024.

Meanwhile, Chelsea has agreed to a deal with Como for the transfer of Trevoh Chalobah, valued at an initial £25.7m plus potential add-ons, representing a pure profit for the club.