London
Chelsea FC have confirmed the signing of Argentine international Valentin Barco from RC Strasbourg, with the 22-year-old midfielder agreeing to a long-term contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033.
Barco is expected to join manager Xabi Alonso and his new Chelsea teammates later in the pre-season as the club continues preparations for the upcoming campaign.
The talented Argentine began his professional career at Boca Juniors, where he progressed through the club’s academy before making his senior debut at the age of 16. During his time with the Buenos Aires-based side, he won several titles and established himself as one of Argentina’s most promising young players.
In 2024, Barco moved to England to join Brighton & Hove Albion. He later gained valuable experience during loan spells with Spanish club Sevilla and French side RC Strasbourg. Following an impressive period in France, Strasbourg secured his services on a permanent basis.
Barco enjoyed a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign and played an important role in helping Strasbourg qualify for European football. Last season, he registered 12 goal contributions in 43 appearances across all competitions and was part of the Strasbourg team that reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League.
His consistent club performances earned him a place in Argentina’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At 21, Barco was the youngest member of the team that reached the final before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain.
Barco has made five appearances for Argentina’s senior national team and scored twice. He netted his first international goal in a 5-0 friendly victory over Zambia and added another during a World Cup warm-up match against Iceland in June 2026. He also made his World Cup debut in Argentina’s group-stage win over Jordan.
Chelsea will hope Barco’s versatility, creativity and international experience strengthen their midfield options in the coming seasons.