Chelsea Owners Agree Deal to Sign Julio Enciso from Brighton

Chelsea’s ownership group, BlueCo, has reached an agreement with Brighton to sign Julio Enciso in a deal worth around £16 million, according to David Ornstein. The 21-year-old Paraguay international is set to become the 15th player or staff member to switch from Brighton to Chelsea since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took charge at Stamford Bridge in 2022.

🚨🔵 Julio Enciso will join BlueCo group spending this season at Strasbourg then joining Chelsea, here we go! 🇵🇾

Season 2025/26 in France… and then future at Chelsea, contract until 2031 plus option until 2032.

€20m package to Brighton, add-ons included. Medical on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/wvMrlhrVjR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2025

Enciso will not head straight into Chelsea’s first-team squad, however. Instead, he is expected to join Strasbourg, also under the BlueCo umbrella, as part of the multi-club project designed to develop young talent before integrating them into Chelsea’s plans.

This transfer continues a growing trend of deals between Chelsea and Brighton, with the London club’s spending on former Seagulls players and staff now surpassing £257m. Notable acquisitions include Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo, and manager Graham Potter, though some have struggled to make a lasting impact at Stamford Bridge.

For Enciso, the move provides a new opportunity after finding himself outside of Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler’s plans for the season. The Paraguayan spent the second half of last campaign on loan at Ipswich Town, showing glimpses of his attacking flair. Across his Brighton career, he registered five goals and six assists in 57 appearances since his arrival from Libertad in 2022.

What Enciso Brings to the BlueCo Project

Enciso is viewed as a long-term Chelsea prospect, with his versatility in midfield and attack making him a valuable asset. At Strasbourg, he will join a growing contingent of Chelsea-linked talent, including Kendry Páez, Mamadou Sarr, and Mike Penders, as well as several signings from Chelsea’s academy setup.

The French club, managed by Liam Rosenior, finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season, earning a spot in the Conference League. Enciso’s arrival could be pivotal as Strasbourg continue to strengthen while serving as a proving ground for Chelsea’s young players.

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Brighton, meanwhile, stand to benefit further from the deal, with the agreement reportedly including performance-related add-ons and a sell-on clause. If Chelsea win the Premier League and Enciso hits a certain appearance threshold, the Seagulls could earn an additional €1m.

For Enciso, this represents both a fresh start and a chance to prove himself within one of the most ambitious multi-club projects in world football.