Burnley Football Club has finalized the signing of French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea for a transfer fee exceeding £20 million. The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Turf Moor, marking a fresh start after two years with the Blues. The fee paid by Burnley is reported to be similar to the £23.2 million Chelsea initially spent to acquire Ugochukwu from Rennes in 2023.

In expressing his excitement about the move, Ugochukwu stated, "It's a great feeling to sign for Burnley." He highlighted his eagerness to join the club after learning about their ambitious project, mentioning positive conversations with the manager and sporting director Maxime Esteve. Ugochukwu believes that this transfer aligns perfectly with his career aspirations.

At Chelsea, Ugochukwu found himself surplus to requirements as the club looks to reduce its squad size, particularly with several players categorized as part of the 'bomb squad'—including notable names like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell—training separately from the main squad. Ugochukwu made 15 appearances in his first season before moving to Southampton on a season-long loan for the 2024-25 campaign.

In addition to Ugochukwu's signing, Burnley is reportedly in negotiations to acquire Chelsea’s 23-year-old forward Armando Broja, with discussions suggesting a deal could be worth up to £20 million. This indicates Burnley's commitment to enhancing their squad as they prepare for the competitive challenges of the upcoming Premier League season.