Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Lyon full-back Malo Gusto on a permanent deal. 

The Blues have struck a £26.3million deal with the French outfit to sign the highly-rated defender until June 2030. 

However, the France under-21 international will stay on loan with the Ligue 1 side for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season.

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Lyon full-back Malo Gusto on a permanent deal 

Chelsea were keen to bring in a right-back alternative to Reece James and identified 19 year-old defender Gusto.

But, the Blues were met with initial resistance to their interest from Lyon with president Jean-Michel Aulas publicly declaring Gusto 'will continue to play' for Lyon until the end of the season.

He will join Christopher Nkunku as a pre-agreed summer arrival after Chelsea also finalised a £53m deal to sign the France forward from RB Leipzig. 

Gusto took to Chelsea's official Instagram page on Sunday morning to address the club's supporters. He said: 'Hey Chelsea fans, I am very happy to be here. Thank you for your messages and I will see you soon.' 

Gusto, 19, has made 54 appearances for Lyon's first-team in three years and has become a regular feature in their starting line-up, despite his age. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei, their £12m summer signing from Inter Milan, is to join Reading on loan after this weekend.

Gusto has become Chelsea's seventh signing of this window including the loan capture of Joao Felix.

There remains the possibility of an eighth with central midfield another department Chelsea are keen to strengthen.

They have so far been frustrated in their attempts this month to land the likes of Benfica's Enzo Fernandez, Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Everton's Amadou Onana.