Chelsea expect Boehly takeover to be completed on Monday

The £4.25billion takeover of Chelsea by a consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly is expected to be completed on Monday.

And the deal will bring to an end the period of uncertainty that has haunted the Blues since Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale in March. 

Abramovich's assets were seized by the UK Government shortly afterwards due to his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who sanctioned the invasion of Ukraine. 

But Chelsea will soon be in the hands of American Boehly and his business partners.

A club statement said: "Chelsea can confirm that a final and definitive agreement was entered into last night to sell the club to the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital consortium. 

"It is expected that the transaction will be completed on Monday. The club will update further at that time."

Abramovich purchased Chelsea in 2003 and oversaw a glittering period of success by investing heavily in the playing squad and bringing in a series of high-profile managers. 

Under his ownership, the club's trophy haul included five Premier League titles, two Champions League successes and five FA Cups.

Abramovich, 55, released a statement of his own to bid farewell to the club he has owned for the best part of two decades. 

He said: "It has been nearly three months since I announced my intention to sell Chelsea. 

"During this time, the team have worked hard to find the right custodian for Chelsea that would be best positioned to successfully lead the club into its next chapter.

"The ownership of this club comes with great responsibility. Since I came to Chelsea nearly 20 years ago, I have witnessed first-hand what this club can achieve.

"My goal has been to ensure that the next owner has a mindset that will enable success for the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the will and drive to continue developing other key aspects of the club, such as the academy and the vital work of Chelsea Foundation.

"I am pleased this search has now come to a successful conclusion. 

"As I hand over Chelsea to its new custodians, I would like to wish them the best of success, both on and off the pitch.

"It has been an honour of a lifetime to be a part of this club — I would like to thank all the club’s past and current players, staff and fans for these incredible years.

"I am proud that as a result of our joint successes, millions of people will now benefit from the new charitable foundation being established. 

"This is the legacy we have created together."

Chelsea have been operating under a restrictive special licence since Abramovich was sanctioned. 

Contract renewals and transfer plans had to be put on hold and Thomas Tuchel's squad will be weakened this summer by the departure of Antonio Rudiger.

German international Rudiger, 29, is joining Real Madrid as a free agent and is expected to be followed out the door by Andreas Christensen, who is also out of contract. 

But the Blues can now begin to focus on bringing in reinforcements after a season that saw them win the European Super Cup and Club World Cup.