Moises Caicedo will wear the No.25 shirt for Chelsea.
Caicido joined the club on Monday on an eight-year deal with a club option for a further year after arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The shirt number was famously last worn by Gianfranco Zola, with Chelsea legend Moses giving his blessing to make it 25 for the season.
Contacting Keisedo Gianfranco to ask permission to wear his famous team number, the Italian responded to our latest signing with the following heartfelt message:
’Hi Moyes! Thanks for the message. I hope it gives you as much pleasure as it gave me.
’Good luck, Gianfranco.’
The number also means a lot to Caicedo as the midfielder wore 25 for Brighton and explained how he spoke to Zola before picking up the shirt.
„I’m very proud to wear this number,” said Moyes. „I spoke with Gianfranco Zola and he gave me his blessing.
’I know how much this number means. I chose it because it is a very special number for me and my family.
’I want to create lots of memories for Chelsea with this number on my back!’
He took the No.23 shirt for Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but it is currently occupied by fellow midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Caicedo is our latest summer signing following the captures of Rob Sanchez, Axel Disasi, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.