Rejected by Chelsea, Tosin Adarabioyo Strikes Back by Signing with London Rivals

The ongoing departure of Chelsea's peripheral players continued on deadline day, as Tosin Adarabioyo is set to bolster Tottenham Hotspur's defensive unit.

Personal terms were agreed upon as far back as last week, and a club-to-club agreement has been reached that will see Tosin move to Tottenham for a transfer fee of $9.5 million (£7 million). The center back will depart Stamford Bridge two years after arriving at Chelsea on a free transfer from Fulham.

Roberto De Zerbi was eager to strengthen his defense following Kevin Danso's exit and in the wake of conceding five goals across their two troubling losses to open the Premier League campaign.

Chelsea were looking to move Tosin on to ease congestion in their center back options. With Spurs keen to facilitate his departure, the North London club came calling, resulting in the first permanent transfer between the two London rivals since 2009.

"I'm at a crucial stage of my career and after speaking with the head coach and understanding the style of football he wants to implement, I believe it's a great match," Tosin said in the club's official statement. "He wants the team to play with bravery and that's something I've always strived to do.

"I want to achieve the very best, to push this team and this club as far as possible to where we belong. That's something that needs to happen every single day, particularly on the training ground, and I'll be bringing that mindset to the club."

Tosin Was Expendable At Chelsea, Spurs Needed Depth

The 28-year-old was the most experienced figure in an otherwise remarkably young squad ever since joining Chelsea two years ago. He featured consistently under Enzo Maresca but never truly established himself at the heart of Chelsea's defense, as untimely errors, poor decision-making and questions over his overall ability surfaced on a regular basis.

He managed just 16 Premier League appearances last season, having noticeably slipped down the pecking order, and a disappointing preseason under Xabi Alonso rendered him surplus to requirements, particularly given that Chelsea's squad won't face the additional burden of European football this season.

Alonso didn't even include the Englishman in Chelsea's matchday squad for the opening three fixtures of the campaign, not even when he opted for a three-center back formation in the first two league matches of his reign. Tosin's prospects of earning regular playing time appeared virtually impossible.

Tottenham stepped in to offer him a way out. Spurs have seen center backs Cristian Romero, Luka Vušković, Radu Drăgușin and now Danso depart the club this summer, and while Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke were brought in as cover, it soon became apparent that Spurs were stretched thin at the position, particularly following the unexpected exit of the Austrian international.

De Zerbi was after a center back with Premier League pedigree, and Tosin fits that profile perfectly, boasting over 200 appearances in England's top division.

On the final day of the summer transfer window, the two rival London clubs sealed a deal that suited both parties' needs.