Chelsea have officially completed the signing of highly-rated Portuguese midfielder Dário Essugo from Sporting CP, confirming the deal on their website on Monday evening. This acquisition marks another step in Chelsea’s long-term strategy of investing in young, high-potential talent under the leadership of head coach Enzo Maresca.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has signed a long-term deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033, underlining the club’s commitment to developing young players who can make a lasting impact on the first team or attract significant future transfer value.
Essugo, who was born in Lisbon and is of Angolan descent, has attracted interest from top clubs across Europe thanks to his impressive development, maturity on the ball, and commanding physical presence in midfield. His football journey began at a very young age in Sporting’s academy, and his rise has been nothing short of exceptional.
He made history in March 2021 by debuting for Sporting’s senior team at just 16 years and six days old, becoming the youngest-ever player to feature in a league match for the club. He went on to break another record when he started a game for Sporting, surpassing the previous benchmark set by legendary Portuguese footballer Luis Figo.
Following his early breakthrough, Essugo gained senior experience with both Sporting’s B team and the main squad, accumulating a total of 23 first-team appearances. In pursuit of more regular playing time and further development, he spent loan spells at Chaves and more recently in Spain with Las Palmas, where he made 27 appearances and scored once during the 2024/25 La Liga season.
On the international stage, Essugo has consistently represented Portugal’s U21 national team, and his most recent appearance came during the March international window. He is widely considered one of the brightest young midfield talents to emerge from Portugal in recent years.
This move reflects Chelsea’s strategic recruitment plan aimed at securing top young players who possess both immediate promise and long-term value. The signing of Essugo is expected to bolster the squad’s midfield depth and provide new tactical options as the club looks ahead to future domestic and European campaigns.