January transfer window 2026: All the Chelsea ins, outs and new contracts so far
From the official Chelsea FC website:
With the January transfer window now closed, we summarise all Chelsea men’s team, Under-21s and Under-18s activity so far in the first month of 2026…
Chelsea signings – January 2026
Yisa Alao
The 17-year-old left-back joined the Blues from Sheffield Wednesday’s academy in late January and made five appearances for their first team. Yisa has agreed to a deal until 2028.
Chelsea loans in – January 2026
Chelsea have not made any loan signings in January 2026.
Chelsea new contracts – January 2026
Ryan Kavuma-McQueen
The Academy winger signed his first professional contract with the club. Kavuma-McQueen has been a regular in our Under-21 and Under-19 teams this season, and has represented England at Under-17 level.
Chelsea departures – January 2026
Ato Ampah
The Academy graduate, who made his first-team debut in our Conference League win over Astana last season, departed on a permanent transfer to Championship side Stoke City on deadline day.
Facundo Buonanotte
Buonanotte returned to Brighton and Hove Albion following his loan spell at Chelsea, ahead of another temporary move to Leeds United. The Argentina international made his debut in our 2-2 draw away at Brentford and went on to make seven further appearances for the Blues, scoring in our Carabao Cup victory over Lincoln City.
Leo Castledine
The midfielder joined Championship side Middlesbrough on a permanent deal on 9 January. The Academy graduate had spent the first half of the season impressing on loan at Huddersfield Town, scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances.
Yahya Idrissi
The versatile forward completed a permanent transfer to Serie A club AC Milan on deadline day. Yahya had featured for the Under-18s, signing his first professional contract with the Blues during the 2024/25 season.
Joel Philbert
The young winger’s time with the Blues came to an end on deadline day as he completed a permanent transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Raheem Sterling
The winger departed the club by mutual agreement in late January, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City.
Chelsea loans out – January 2026
Aaron Anselmino
The Argentine defender, who made his Chelsea debut during our Club World Cup triumph, was recalled from a loan at Borussia Dortmund before joining Strasbourg until the end of the current campaign.
Axel Disasi
Our French centre-back will spend the remainder of the campaign on loan at West Ham United after sealing a move to the London Stadium on deadline day.
David Fofana
The Ivory Coast international, who has made four first-team appearances for the Blues, agreed a deadline-day loan switch to Strasbourg.
Tyrique George
After making 11 appearances for the Blues during the first half of the season and scoring three goals, George joined Premier League side Everton on loan for the remainder of the campaign on deadline day.
Kendry Paez
Having been recalled from Strasbourg, the attacking midfielder joined Argentine side River Plate for the remainder of 2026.
Frankie Runham
Frankie will spend the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Championship side Ipswich Town, having progressed through the ranks at Cobham.
Joseph Wheeler-Henry
The 18-year-old defender will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Premier League side Brentford.
Chelsea loan recalls – January 2026
Aaron Anselmino
After spending the first half of the campaign on loan in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, Anselmino was recalled and sealed a deadline day loan to Strasbourg for the remainder of the season.
Leo Castledine – Huddersfield Town
Castledine (pictured top) returned from the League One side so he could complete his permanent transfer to Middlesbrough.
Kiano Dyer – Volendam
Dyer returned to Chelsea from his loan spell at Volendam in the Netherlands. The England Under-20 international featured in both the Eredivisie and cup competitions during his four months there.
Kendry Paez – Strasbourg
Attacking midfielder Paez was recalled from the Ligue 1 side, having made 21 appearances and gained further European experience, ahead of a loan switch back to South America with River Plate in Argentina.
Mamadou Sarr – Strasbourg
Having spent the first half of the campaign at Strasbourg, and winning the African Cup of Nations with Senegal, Sarr was recalled from his loan spell on Deadline Day.
Teddy Sharman-Lowe – Bolton Wanderers
The goalkeeper played 23 times for Bolton in the first half of the season before being recalled to Chelsea. He was named the club’s Player of the Month for November during his time in the North-West.
Caleb Wiley – Watford
The 21-year-old gained further experience in the Championship with Watford – where he spent the second half of last season – before returning to Chelsea earlier this month.
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