Conor Gallagher departs Chelsea for Atletico Madrid

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Conor Gallagher has completed a permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid.

He enjoyed success throughout his time in our Academy, twice winning the FA Youth Cup and Under-18 Premier League and lifting the Under-18 Premier League Cup. At the end of the 2018/19 campaign, Conor was named Chelsea Academy Player of the Year.

He embarked on his first loan spell the following season, during which he impressed at Charlton Athletic and then at Swansea City, where he helped the Welsh club finish in the Championship play-off positions.

Premier League experience was gained with a season at West Bromwich Albion. Another at Crystal Palace followed and ended with Conor scoring eight goals in all competitions, being named the club’s 2021/22 Player of the Year, and earning his first cap for England.

Conor’s performances at Selhurst Park also secured him a place in the Chelsea senior squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. He made his first-team debut against Everton on the opening day and scored his first Blues goal, a 90th-minute winner, away at Crystal Palace in October. It was a strike that would later be named Chelsea Goal of the Season.

Last term, the 24-year-old played 50 games in the Blues’ midfield and, in the absence of our captain Reece James and vice-captain, regularly wore the armband. He finished the campaign as part of the England squad which reached the final of the European Championship in Germany.

We wish Conor the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career.