Chelsea have confirmed the departure of Portuguese defender Renato Veiga, who has completed a permanent transfer to La Liga side Villarreal for a reported €30 million, including add-ons, marking a club-record signing for the Spanish outfit. The 22-year-old, who joined Chelsea from FC Basel for €14 million in July 2024, leaves after making just 18 appearances for the Blues, including seven in the Premier League and six starts in the Conference League, where he scored against Gent and FC Astana.
Veiga’s time at Stamford Bridge was marked by limited game time, primarily at left-back, a position he was reluctant to play long-term, preferring a role as a center-back. His frustration led to a loan move to Juventus in January 2025, where he impressed in 15 appearances.
Despite returning to Chelsea, Veiga was excluded from their Club World Cup squad, prompting his desire for a new challenge. Journalist Graeme Bailey noted Veiga’s surprise at being overlooked, highlighting his ambition to secure regular minutes as a center-back.Villarreal, who started their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, see Veiga as a replacement for departed defenders Eric Bailly and Raul Albiol. The deal includes a substantial sell-on clause, ensuring Chelsea benefits from any future transfer. This marks Chelsea’s 11th first-team departure this summer, following exits like João Félix, Noni Madueke, and Armando Broja, as manager Enzo Maresca continues to streamline the squad.
Veiga, who earned his first senior caps for Portugal during his Chelsea stint, will now aim to establish himself in La Liga under Marcelino. With interest from clubs like Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus earlier in the window, his move to Villarreal offers a fresh start at a club competing in the Champions League, where he could face his former employers
Veiga’s time at Stamford Bridge was marked by limited game time, primarily at left-back, a position he was reluctant to play long-term, preferring a role as a center-back. His frustration led to a loan move to Juventus in January 2025, where he impressed in 15 appearances.
Despite returning to Chelsea, Veiga was excluded from their Club World Cup squad, prompting his desire for a new challenge. Journalist Graeme Bailey noted Veiga’s surprise at being overlooked, highlighting his ambition to secure regular minutes as a center-back.Villarreal, who started their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, see Veiga as a replacement for departed defenders Eric Bailly and Raul Albiol. The deal includes a substantial sell-on clause, ensuring Chelsea benefits from any future transfer. This marks Chelsea’s 11th first-team departure this summer, following exits like João Félix, Noni Madueke, and Armando Broja, as manager Enzo Maresca continues to streamline the squad.
Veiga, who earned his first senior caps for Portugal during his Chelsea stint, will now aim to establish himself in La Liga under Marcelino. With interest from clubs like Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus earlier in the window, his move to Villarreal offers a fresh start at a club competing in the Champions League, where he could face his former employers
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