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Freetown-born defender Trevoh Chalobah has emotionally said goodbye to Chelsea after 18 years with the club, bringing an end to a remarkable journey that took him from the academy to the first team and some of football’s biggest stages.
Chalobah, 27, has completed his permanent transfer to Italian Serie A side Como in a deal reportedly worth €30 million (£30 million), including add-ons. He has signed a five-year contract with the Italian club.
The Sierra Leone-born defender joined Chelsea’s academy as a nine-year-old after moving to England from Freetown at the age of two. Over the years, he progressed through the club’s youth ranks before becoming a first-team regular and making 151 senior appearances for the Blues.
Reflecting on his departure, Chalobah described the end of his Chelsea journey as an emotional moment after nearly two decades at the club.
“After 18 years, it’s time to say goodbye to Chelsea,” he said, looking back on a journey that began with a childhood dream and ultimately saw him establish himself as a professional footballer at one of England’s biggest clubs.
Chalobah credited his teammates, coaches, staff and supporters for helping shape his career and personal development, while expressing pride in everything he achieved during his time at Stamford Bridge.
His Chelsea career was decorated with several major honours. He won the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Conference League and English FA Cup.
He also enjoyed success at youth level, winning two English FA Youth Cups and the UEFA Youth League, while he was part of England’s Under-19 team that won the European Under-19 Championship.
As he closes the Chelsea chapter, Chalobah now turns his attention to Italy, where he will reunite with former Chelsea teammate Cesc Fàbregas, now the manager of Como.
Speaking about his new challenge, Chalobah expressed excitement about joining what he described as an ambitious and rapidly developing project.
“It’s an ambitious, rising project, and working with manager Cesc Fàbregas again is truly special. I can’t wait to bring my experience to the team, feel the incredible atmosphere at the stadium, and connect with the fans,” he said.
For Chalobah, the move represents more than a transfer. It marks the closing of an 18-year chapter that began as a young boy dreaming of playing for Chelsea and ends with him leaving the club as an accomplished first-team defender.
His departure will also be followed closely in Sierra Leone, where his Freetown roots have made his rise through English football a source of pride and inspiration for young footballers.
