Benoit Badiashile has described his move from Chelsea to Napoli as “a great honour” after completing a season-long loan switch to the Italian club.
The France centre-back addressed Napoli supporters for the first time in a message posted on Instagram. Writing in Italian, Badiashile said: “It is a great honour for me to become part of such a prestigious club, so rich in history. Ready to give everything for this shirt and for this city. Forza Napoli!”
Napoli are understood to have paid €3m for the loan, with an option to sign the 24-year-old permanently for a further €20m.
Reports from other Italian outlets earlier this week suggested the final cost of the transfer could rise to €27m if add-ons and bonuses are included. The agreement therefore gives Napoli the opportunity to make Badiashile’s move permanent at the end of the season, subject to the terms of the deal.
Badiashile becomes Napoli’s second first-team signing of the transfer window, following the arrival of Costantino Favasuli from Catanzaro. The club have also activated permanent buy options for Rasmus Hojlund, Alisson Santos and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic this summer.
The defender joined Chelsea from Monaco in January 2023 in a transfer worth €37m. However, he made only 42 Premier League appearances during his four seasons with the London club.
His move to Napoli was confirmed in the customary style of club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who announced the deal on X with the message: “Benvenuto Benoit”.
Badiashile’s departure brings an end to a Chelsea spell in which regular first-team opportunities proved limited, despite the significant investment made in signing him from Monaco. His first public comments as a Napoli player underline his enthusiasm for beginning a new chapter in Italy.
For Napoli, the loan provides the chance to strengthen their defence immediately while retaining the option to assess whether a permanent agreement should be completed at the end of the season. Any decision to do so would depend on the terms already agreed, including the reported €20m purchase option and the potential additional costs linked to bonuses.
The French international will now continue his career in Serie A after leaving Chelsea, with Napoli adding him to a group of summer arrivals and players whose purchase clauses have been exercised.
