• Benoit Badiashile, a defender for France, joins Chelsea from Monaco.
• The 21-year-old centre back signs a seven-and-a-half-year deal.
• Badiashile has been a key figure at Monaco.

Benoit Badiashile, a defender for France, was acquired by Chelsea on Thursday from Monaco of Ligue 1 for a reported sum of little under 40 million euros ($42 million).

The 21-year-old centre defender signed a “seven-and-a-half-year contract,” according to a Chelsea release.

Badiashile has been a key figure at Monaco, guiding the team to third place in Ligue 1 for the past two seasons.

Didier Deschamps gave him his international debut in September, although he did not make the World Cup roster.

“At 6ft 4in, Badiashile is a dominating defender in the air but equally at ease with the ball at his feet, capable of playing short passes out from the back or switching the play with longer diagonals,” according to a statement from Chelsea.

“His scorching speed is a significant quality, and he has club level experience playing in both a back four and back three.”

“Start playing in the top league in the world,” remarked Badiashile, who could not wait.

The Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly, who Chelsea acquired for a rumored sum of £33 million ($38 million) in July, may be partnered with the young Frenchman, who is far more experienced.

Todd Boehly, chairman of Chelsea, and Behdad Eghbali, co-controlling owner, expressed their happiness at signing one of the continent’s most promising defenders.

In a joint statement, they praised him as “an excellent young player who has swiftly built a solid name for himself and has a tremendous amount of experience for his young age.”

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