Chelsea appoint Enzo Maresca as new head coach

Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their new head coach on a five-year contract.

Maresca, 44, will start work on July 1. His deal ties him to Stamford Bridge until 2029, with the club holding an option to extend by a further year.

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Maresca leaves Leicester City after just one season in charge, during which he guided the Midlands club to the Championship title with 97 points.

The Italian was previously part of Pep Guardiola's backroom staff as Manchester City won a treble in the 2022-23 campaign.

Sources have told ESPN that Maresca has been on holiday in Marbella, Spain, where a Chelsea delegation flew out to conduct negotiations.

Chelsea's ownership group said: "We are thrilled to welcome Enzo into the Chelsea family. We look forward to supporting him and the rest of the sporting team in fulfilling their potential and our expectations over the years to come.

"He is a highly gifted coach and leader that we are confident can help fulfill our vision and competitive goals for the club."

Maresca has previously worked as an assistant coach at Ascoli, Sevilla and West Ham before taking charge of Parma in between spells at Man City.

As a player, he won Serie A with Juventus in 2001-02 and his other honours include back-to-back UEFA Cup wins with Sevilla in 2006 and 2007.

Meanwhile, a source has told ESPN that Chelsea are set to complete the signing of defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 26-year-old will move to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer after leaving  Fulham at the end of the season.

Chelsea have staved off competition from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham to secure his signature.

Adarabioyo, who started his career at Manchester City, made 20 Premier League appearances for Fulham last season.