Mudryk following in footsteps of Chelsea legend as shirt number confirmed

Mykhailo Mudryk is following in the footsteps of a Chelsea great as his shirt number is confirmed.

The Blues have completed the signing of Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth up to £89million.

The 22-year-old has agreed an eight-and-a-half-year deal for £62million, plus a further £27million in add-ons determined primarily on team performances.

Mudryk, who has contributed to 18 goals in 18 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk this season, was at Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea’s 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The winger had looked set to sign for Arsenal, with the Gunners having made three bids of their own worth up to £70million.

However, Shakhtar club president Rinat Akhmetov met with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali on Saturday to finalise a Chelsea move.

Mudryk shirt number confirmed

Mudryk will wear the No.15 shirt for Chelsea, the same one donned by Didier Drogba.

Indeed, Drogba scored 157 goals in 341 appearances in his first eight-year spell at Chelsea and added a further seven in 40 appearances when he returned for one more season.

The Ivorian is the club’s fourth-record goalscorer, while he notably netted an incredible nine times in nine cup finals during the most successful period in the club’s history.

The No.15 shirt, which has been available since Kurt Zouma’s departure, was also worn by both Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne in their short spells at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba scored in nine finals for Chelsea (Alamy)

On signing for Graham Potter’s side, Mudryk said: “I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea.

“This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career.

“I’m excited to meet my new teammates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”

Mudryk is Chelsea’s fifth signing of the January transfer window, with Joao Felix having arrived on loan and Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos on permanent deals.

The Blues have spent more than £400million on transfers since a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly took control of the club in May 2022. However, they are currently languishing in tenth place in the Premier League.