Chelsea have signed 28-year-old Spanish left-back Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano on a five-year contract worth about £16.3m, with up to £1.7m in add-ons. The move is significant because it gives new manager Xabi Alonso another option for his preferred wing-back system and adds depth after Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid.

Chavarria reached La Liga relatively late, making his debut at 24 after spells in Catalonia, Olot and Real Zaragoza, before becoming a regular at Rayo. He made 125 appearances for the club, including 45 last season, when he scored once and provided three assists; Chelsea reportedly faced difficult negotiations because Rayo initially demanded his £42.4m release clause.