Marc Cucurella delighted to have joined Chelsea FC.

Right-back Cucurella signs for Chelsea [Chelseafc/Twitter]

Spain left-back Marc Cucurella signs six-year deal at Chelsea FC.

Chelsea FC have secured the services of Spain defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton on a six-year contract.

The Barca academy graduate Cucurella enjoyed a successful first Premier League campaign at the Amex Stadium after moving from Getafe in a deal worth around £15m last summer and was named Brighton's player of the season, scoring one goal in 38 games for the Seagulls.

• Chelsea legend backs Koulibaly.

• Fabregas hails Arteta's maturing Arsenal.

Brighton had already rejected a £30m bid from Premier League champions Manchester City for the versatile Cucurella, 24, who handed in a transfer request after City showed an interest in his services.

"I'm really happy. It's a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world," said Cucurella.

"I'm going to work hard to be happy here and help the team."

Cucurella is intelligent and versatile - Tuchel

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said of the new signing: "He's a fantastic player, young hungry mobile, very intelligent and can play in several positions in our system. If it goes through it opens some options for Levi Colwill to find some more game time elsewhere.

• Azpilicueta happy to continue career at Chelsea.

• Chelsea's Hudson-Odoi: Sterling wants to help the team.

"It helps for [fit-again] Ben [Chilwell] to escape the pressure of 'I have to deliver and we need you absolutely now'. We also have Marcos Alonso and Emerson but Marc [Cucurella] is the option on this position and he can play very well in the back three. He has the profile of Azpi with a left foot. He gives us many options.

"Ben is very ambitious, he couldn't wait to come back to team training. it seems he needs a bit more time to adapt to the rhythm and physicality of the match itself which is normal. It's a demanding league and we have to take care with him and not throw him in."

Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.