Chelsea is about to get a big surprise payday from a player who only appeared once for the team.
Chelsea are about to make a nice profit from a player who only played once for the club. The Blues have a knack for selling players who barely played for them but still bring in big money. This seems set to happen again with Diego Moreira’s move to AC Milan.
Moreira, a Belgium international, has agreed to a £56 million deal with the Rossoneri, signing a five-year contract until 2031. He joined Milan from Chelsea’s partner club Strasbourg, who also included a sell-on clause in the transfer.
Chelsea sold Moreira to Strasbourg for just £1.7 million back in 2024, but it looks like they included a sell-on clause. This means Chelsea will get a good share of the money from his Milan move, even though the exact amount isn’t clear. It was a smart move since Moreira only made one appearance for Chelsea.
He originally came to Chelsea in 2023 on a free transfer from Benfica after his contract expired. Moreira made his debut in a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon, playing 45 minutes. But that was his only game for Chelsea since he was loaned to Lyon in September.
He returned in January 2024 but didn’t play in the first team again, instead turning out often for Chelsea’s Under-21s. Moreira truly shined at Strasbourg, helping the team finish seventh and qualify for the Conference League before their coach, Liam Rosenior, took over at Chelsea in 2026.
Moreira played 42 games for Strasbourg, who reached a European semi-final, and he now takes the next step in his career in Italy, becoming the French club’s record sale. After switching from Portugal to Belgium, he also featured in the World Cup, playing in Belgium’s thrilling 3-2 win over Senegal.
At Milan, where he will play under Ruben Amorim, Moreira has already received a big honor: he was given the No. 22 shirt, once worn by 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Kaka.
Speaking about his move, Moreira said: “I’m excited and a bit amazed because when you think of AC Milan, you think of trophies, history, and all the great players who have been here. It’s a fantastic club, and you know what they expect. I believe now is the right time for me to join.
“It’s important for people to know that I like to joke around, but I’m very focused too. On the pitch, I give my all for my teammates, the fans, and the club. That’s always been a big part of who I am.”