Chelsea recently agreed a fee totalling £60m to sign Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Brighton. The 23-year-old is expected to sign an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro departs Brighton just two years after joining the club from Watford for £30m and now becomes their third most expensive sale in history — interestingly behind Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella, both also signed by Chelsea.
Here, FootballOrbit brings you what you need to know about Chelsea’s latest versatile attacker.
Background and Early Career at Fluminense

João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus was born on the 26th of September 2001, in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. His father, Chicao, was a former professional footballer who most notably played for Botafogo.
Having been scouted at a youth tournament, he joined Brazilian giants Fluminense. At the club’s academy, he gradually transitioned from being a defensive midfielder, to an attacking midfielder and finally a striker.
In October 2018, still just 16 years old and before even making his professional debut, English side Watford reached an agreement with Fluminense on a deal that will see Joao Pedro join them later in January 2020.
On the 28th of March 2019, the youngster made his senior debut for Fluminense as a stoppage-time substitute against arch-rivals Flamengo in the Campeonato Carioca. A month later, he made his league debut as a late substitute against Goiás.
Thereafter, Pedro hit a rich vein of form as he went on to sensationally bag seven goals in his next four games, including a famous hat trick in a 4-1 Copa Sudamericana victory against Atlético Nacional. His performances didn’t go unnoticed, earning him rave reviews.
Overall, as a Fluminense player, the then-18-year-old Joao Pedro netted 10 times and provided 2 assists in 36 games for the Rio club.
“I think every kid of my age wants big things, to play for big clubs in Europe, in the Champions League, become world champions with Brazilian side, win the Ballon D’Or. Keep working to see if I can reach all my goals.
“There was a time in the academy, when me and my mum had been going through difficult times. We didn’t have money at the time, I had one pair of trousers, one pair of trainers to go to training and to school, or to go out.”My mum could only afford to eat one egg every day and would leave the only piece of meat for me, and I was asking myself about what I was doing with my life, far from my family, my friends.
But she would be there, supporting me, saying everything would be fine, that the important thing is that I had what I needed to eat, and I should make this time worth it on the pitch.”All the time I get on the pitch, or I score a goal, I kiss my tattoos [one for his mum, another for his nan]. I didn’t give up because of them.”
A teenage Joao Pedro speaking about his future dreams
Joao Pedro at Watford
Joao Pedro eventually completed his long-awaited move to Watford in January 2020 on a £3.6m fee, signing a five-year contract.
His early days in English football was interrupted by the global Coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, his situation only got worse as Watford suffered relegation from the Premier League.
Finally, Pedro scored his first goal for Watford in a 1-0 win over Luton Town on the 26th of September 2020 — which coincided with his 19th birthday.
The 19-year-old attacker helped his side secure promotion to the top flight at the first time of asking, but they got relegated again.
However, Joao’s individual exploits caught the attention of established Premier league sides and it was no longer matter of if, but when he would be poached by a bigger team.
In total, the Brazilian made 109 appearances, scored 24 goals, and laid on 8 assists across his four seasons at Watford.
Brighton Signs Joao Pedro
In May 2023, Premier league side Brighton & Hove Albion completed the transfer of Joao Pedro from Watford on a club-record £30 million fee.
He made his debut for the Seagulls in the opening game of the 2023/24 season on the 12th of August against Premier League newcomers Luton Town. He started the game and scored his first goal for his new club from the penalty spot in a 4-1 home victory.
Furthermore, Pedro made history by scoring Brighton’s first ever European goals, converting two penalties in a 3-2 home Europa League loss against Greek champions AEK Athens.
Pedro would go on to finish the Europa League group stage as the outright top scorer with six goals in six games, including a late winner in the final match — as Brighton topped their group to qualify for the last 16.
Overall, his debut season at Brighton yielded 20 goals and 3 assists in all competitions. This saw him finish as the Seagulls’ joint-top scorer.
In the 2024/25 season, Joao took his game to another level in terms of overall contribution to the team’s performances — netting 10 goals and supplied 7 assists.
Ultimately, the forward registered 10 assists, and 30 goals in 70 appearances for Brighton — averaging an impressive 0.63 goal contributions per 90 minutes in the Premier League.
Chelsea Poach Joao Pedro

On the 2nd of July 2025, Chelsea announced the signing of Joao Pedro on a deal reportedly worth £55m plus £5m in add-ons. The forward penned an 8-year contract with the Blues through to 2033.
Meanwhile, Newcastle were also believed to have been interested in the forward, but he favoured a move to Chelsea.
Moreso, Brighton reportedly rejected two bids from two unnamed Premier League clubs before they agreed terms of £55m, plus £5m in add-ons, with Chelsea.
‘Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history, ‘They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing — win.’
Joao Pedro after joining Chelsea
International Career
Joao Pedro was called up for the Brazil Olympic U-23 team in August 2023. He made his Brazil debut as an 84th minute substitute in a 1-0 loss against Morocco.
Three months later, in November 2023, Pedro was called up to the Brazil senior team for the first time. On the 16th of November, he made his debut for the Seleção after coming on as a substitute for Vinícius Júnior against Colombia.
So far, he has been capped three times by his country.
Joao Pedro: Style of Play
Joao Pedro has a natural flair and eye for goal. He is very versatile across the frontline; capable of playing as a striker, supporting striker, on both wings, and as an attacking midfielder.
Link up play and skills
The 23-year-old has clever movement, strong link-up play, and ability to score from various positions. He excels at finding space, making intelligent runs, and creating opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Furthermore, his game also includes dribbling, strong hold-up play, and amazing technique.
Hardwork
The Brazilian likes working hard for the team, making tireless runs to press the opposition, and helping his team to defend from the front.
He’s always willing to contribute defensively. He likes coming deep for the ball to set the tempo for attacks, due to his keen eye for a pass, and can also dribble past opponents with ease.
Penalty King
Since arriving in English football, Joao Pedro has scored 17 of the 18 penalties he has taken in all competitions for Watford and Brighton, sending most opposing goalkeepers the wrong way.
Moreover, the only penalty he has missed came against Villa in May 2024, but Pedro still managed to head home the rebound.
Adept at nipping in front of defenders at the last moment, Joao Pedro is one of the most fouled regular strikers in the Premier League.
Also, in the past two seasons, no player in English football has earned more penalties than the 23-year-old, who earned nine (9).
An area that needs improvement as he steps up to an higher level at Chelsea is his consistency in front of goal, as the demands at Stamford Bridge is much higher.
How will Joao Pedro fit in at Chelsea?
Though Joao Pedro isn’t a traditional number 9, he thrives as a link-up forward, dropping deep to connect play, pressing with intensity, and creating space for others.
His playing style is similar to that of fellow Brazilian and ex-Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino — intelligent movement, technical excellence, and a relentless work ethic off the ball.
Pedro takes up good positions around the halfway line when his team is on the back foot. Whenever they win the ball back, he instinctively opens up his body and darts forward for a lightning counter-attack.
At Chelsea, other forwards like Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens can run beyond him — creating dynamic attacking moves.
As the Blues rely on forwards who defend from the front, Pedro excels in this aspect of the game, ranking among the top Premier League forwards for pressing intensity. He knows when to engage when to block passing lanes, and when to force mistakes from opposition defenders.
These traits make him particularly suitable for Enzo Maresca’s fluid attacking style, where attackers are expected to interchange positions, press from the front, and create space through movement. Pedro’s work rate and positional versatility align perfectly with Chelsea’s tactical system.