Adarabioyo hints at key reason he rejected Newcastle for Chelsea as new details emerge

Chelsea have announced the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo, who has opted for Stamford Bridge over St James' Park despite lengthy talks with Newcastle United.

After signing a four-year deal on a free transfer from Fulham, the 26-year-old has hinted that location was a major factor behind his decision.

He's revealed that he was born "three miles away from Stamford Bridge", describing his move to Chelsea as a "full-circle moment", suggesting the chance to remain in London was a huge pull for him along with the chance to be reunited with a number of players and staff he knows well from his time at Man City.

This comes after a recent report suggested location was a big factor for Adarabioyo, with FootballTransfers' Jacque Talbot revealing yesterday that Chelsea offered him £135,000-per-week; just £5,000 more than Newcastle's £130,000-per-week offer.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Adarabioyo said - "Chelsea is a huge club and this is a full-circle moment for me. I was born three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made my professional debut there. I’m very excited and looking forward to helping push the club in the direction we want to go.

"I spent two or three years with Raz (Raheem Sterling) and Willy (Caballero), and I spent most of my youth journey with Cole (Palmer). Before confirming the move, I gave Raz and Cole a call and they had nothing but positive things to say about the club and the project, and how excited they were that I was coming to the club.

"Cole is younger than me but I remember him from younger days alongside a few of the other boys that I’ve met along the way like Ben Chilwell - Chilly and I were both captains in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. I also know Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja because he spent time at Fulham.

"Growing up, Chelsea has always been a club that have performed well and one that have had great players and teams to watch. Chelsea have won big trophies and long may it continue.

‘I’m here to win. I want to win. It’s as simple as that really. I just want to keep working and pushing the team and the club in the direction we want to go in. I’m excited to get going."

https://twitter.com/jac_talbot/status/1798730747869802935