Matt Miazga has signed for Chelsea from MLS side New York Red Bulls.
The 20-year-old central defender has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.
The deal puts greater focus on the future of Gary Cahill and it looks increasingly likely that the defender could be on his way out of SW6 in the next two days.
Chelsea want to keep the England vice-captain, especially as their league position is still a major concern.
But Cahill, frozen out of the side by Guus Hiddink could see his England slot in the Euro 2016 squad threatened by a lack of first-team activity.
Liverpool are looking to add a centre-back to their threadbare defence and Cahill would not be adverse to returning back up north.
But it's Miazga who is the centre of attention at the moment and he will stay at SW6 and not be farmed out to adjust to the English football system.
After signing on the dotted line, he said: "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, a world-famous club with a reputation for major success. I am delighted to be in the Premier League, the best league in the world, and can’t wait to meet my team-mates and get going.
"I am still at the beginning of my career but I believe this is the place to develop and learn from some of the best players in the world."