Chelsea announced the shirt number for the new transfer Saul Niguez. Find out what his jersey number is here.
Chelsea have officially revealed the shirt number for the new incoming transfer Saul Niguez at Stamford Bridge.
As announced by the club, the Spanish midfielder will be wearing the No.17 jersey for the Londoners. The 26-year-old stepped into the world of Premier League recently from Atletico Madrid. Saul’s loan deal includes a clause for a permanent transfer in 2022.
Prior to Saul, the number 17 shirt was worn by Mateo Kovacic, but it has now been vacated as the Croatian took No.8. Previously for Chelsea, this jersey number has been under glorious names such as Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah. Will Saul be able to fill their shoes?
A statement on the Blues’ official website says: “The Spanish midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day in a one-year loan from Atletico Madrid. With an option to make the move permanent next summer.”
“He will play for Chelsea with the No 17 on his back. The same squad number he wore for Atletico during his first two campaigns as a regular there. After breaking into their senior team as a 20-year-old, in 2014-15 and 2015-16.”
“That means his Blues debut will be his first match in that number since the 2016 Champions League final between Atletico and their city rivals Real Madrid.”
“The most recent player to wear that number for Chelsea was Mateo Kovacic. Another midfielder who initially arrived on loan at the Bridge from a Madrid-based club, in his case Real. The Croatian wore it for three seasons before switching to the No 8 for us this season, just as Saul did for Atletico in 2016.”
“Saul will become the third Spaniard to take that squad number for Chelsea. As it was also worn by Pedro during his first season at Stamford Bridge, having previously belonged to right-back Albert Ferrer from 1998 to 2001.”
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