Chelsea agree terms to re-sign David Luiz

Brazilian was sold to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014 for a world record fee for a defender

LONDON: Chelsea have agreed terms to re-sign Brazil defender David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain, the two clubs announced on Wednesday.

Luiz was sold by Premier League Chelsea to French side PSG for a world record fee for a defender when he joined the French club for £50 million ($65 million, 58 million euros) in 2014.

But the 29-year-old was in danger of losing his place to compatriot Marquinhos this season and, with new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte desperate for defensive reinforcements, the Blues have agreed to bring him back to Stamford Bridge for a reported £32 million.

“Chelsea Football Club and Paris Saint-Germain have agreed terms for the transfer of David Luiz back to London,” a statement on Chelsea’s website read, similar to PSG’s own statement.



“The move is now subject to him agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.”

Luiz looked in high spirits when he was pictured arriving at London’s St Pancras railway station after travelling to the English capital via Eurostar on Wednesday.

Dressed in a white t-shirt and black jeans while listening to music on his headphones, Luiz stopped for selfies with fans as he strolled through St Pancras.

Although he endured criticism for some haphazard defending during his time at Chelsea, Luiz helped the club win the Champions League for the first time when they defeated Bayern Munich in the German club’s own stadium in the 2012 final.



Luiz, who also played a key role as Chelsea won the 2013 Europa League, originally joined the Blues from Benfica in January 2011.

He made 143 appearances, scoring 12 goals, before making his record-breaking switch to PSG.

Luiz has played against Chelsea four times in the two years since leaving the Blues as PSG were opponents in the Champions League in each of the last two seasons.

He vowed not to celebrate if he scored against his former club, but did so as PSG advanced on away goals at the expense of Chelsea in March 2015.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte paid a reported £23 million to sign former Bolton left-back Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina.