Chelsea Signs Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig on 6-Year Deal

French forward Christopher Nkunku gives a press conference during the preparation of the French squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches, in Clairefontaine in June 10, 2023. (AFP)
French forward Christopher Nkunku gives a press conference during the preparation of the French squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches, in Clairefontaine in June 10, 2023. (AFP)
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Chelsea Signs Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig on 6-Year Deal

French forward Christopher Nkunku gives a press conference during the preparation of the French squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches, in Clairefontaine in June 10, 2023. (AFP)
French forward Christopher Nkunku gives a press conference during the preparation of the French squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament qualifying matches, in Clairefontaine in June 10, 2023. (AFP)

Chelsea signed France forward Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig on a six-year contract on Tuesday.

The London club spent around $630 million last season and has got its latest recruitment drive up and running with the deal for the highly rated Nkunku. His contract starts on July 1.

”A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch," the 25-year-old Nkunku said.

Chelsea endured a miserable first year under new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. It recorded its lowest ever points total in the Premier League and missed out on qualification for Europe.

Managers Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter were discarded and club icon Frank Lampard returned in an interim role to see out the season. Former Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed and charged with the responsibility of turning around Chelsea's fortunes.

Nkunku is expected to kick off another busy summer at Stamford Bridge.

“Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad,” Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said in a statement.

Nkunku has been capped 10 times by France and played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Leipzig in 2019.



Murray Pulls Out of Singles in Wimbledon Farewell, to Play Doubles

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs
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Murray Pulls Out of Singles in Wimbledon Farewell, to Play Doubles

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 2, 2024 Britain's Andy Murray is pictured after a practice session REUTERS/Paul Childs

Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray pulled out of the singles competition but will play doubles alongside his brother Jamie in his farewell appearance at the Grand Slam, with the 37-year-old saying on Tuesday he had taken the right decision.
Murray, who underwent surgery on June 22 to remove a spinal cyst which was compressing his nerves and made him lose control and power in his right leg, decided he was not fit enough for the demands of singles competition.
"I wanted to sleep on it, make sure I was happy with the decision and give myself the chance when I woke up to see if it felt much better," Murray said, a few hours after his team announced the decision.
"I ran around a bit at home this morning when I got up - it wasn't where I wanted it to be, unfortunately.
"It's probably a few days too soon but I'm proud I worked extremely hard to give myself a chance to play. It's the right decision."
Murray was due to face Czech Tomas Machac on Centre Court in singles on Tuesday, having informed the All England Club that he would take as long as possible to decide, Reuters reported.
"Andy - we're sorry to hear you won't be playing singles this year," Wimbledon said on social media.
"But we are so looking forward to seeing you compete in the doubles and celebrating all the memories you have given us."
Fans arriving at Wimbledon to watch Murray were left disappointed as the news spread around the grounds.
"It's a real shame because I really wanted to see him," said Lewis Jones, who could return to watch Murray play doubles.
"We were going to sit on the hill and enjoy his match today so I'm really disappointed. He means everything (to the people). He's a British star at Wimbledon."
Murray said he expected to be competitive when he and his brother take on Australians Rinky Hijikata and John Peers later this week.
"It's not like were going to roll over and lose the match. We've got a good chance of winning," Murray added.
"Me and Jamie play great doubles together and if both of us are fit and well on the court we can definitely win the match."