BlueCo Seals Julio Enciso Deal: Brighton Star Joins Strasbourg with Chelsea Future in Sight

In a blockbuster move that underscores their ambitious multi-club strategy, BlueCo—the consortium behind Chelsea and RC Strasbourg—has finalized a permanent transfer for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Paraguayan star, Julio Enciso.

The deal sees the 21-year-old attacking midfielder sign a contract until 2030, with an immediate move to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, though his long-term future is earmarked for Stamford Bridge.

The agreement marks the latest chapter in BlueCo’s extensive recruitment pipeline with Brighton, following high-profile transfers of players like Moisés Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and João Pedro, as well as staff members such as Graham Potter and recruitment chiefs Paul Winstanley and Sam Jewell. While the exact transfer fee remains undisclosed, sources suggest it hovers around €20 million, including add-ons, a significant coup given Enciso’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €21.2 million.

Enciso, who first dazzled Premier League audiences with a stunning long-range strike against Manchester City in the 2022-23 season—nominated for the Puskás Award—has been a standout talent despite injury setbacks. His 57 appearances for Brighton yielded five goals and six assists, though a torn meniscus in August 2023 and subsequent knee surgery in May 2025 limited his game time. A productive loan spell at Ipswich Town in the second half of the 2024-25 season, where he contributed two goals and three assists in 13 matches, reaffirmed his potential despite the Tractor Boys’ relegation.

The permanent move to Strasbourg, managed by Liam Rosenior, aligns with BlueCo’s strategy of using the French club as a development hub for young talents destined for Chelsea. Strasbourg, who qualified for the Europa Conference League after a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1, offer Enciso a platform to regain full fitness and showcase his flair in a competitive European environment. The Paraguayan’s versatility as an attacking midfielder or winger, coupled with his technical brilliance, makes him a marquee addition for Strasbourg’s campaign, which includes a play-off clash against Brondby.

While Enciso joins Strasbourg immediately, BlueCo’s long-term vision positions him as a future Chelsea star, potentially arriving at Stamford Bridge as early as 2026. This move mirrors BlueCo’s approach with other talents, such as Kendry Paez and Mike Penders, who are currently on loan at Strasbourg, highlighting the group’s sophisticated player development network. The absence of a loan structure—unlike previous BlueCo deals—suggests confidence in Enciso’s readiness to make an immediate impact in Ligue 1 while keeping Chelsea’s squad depth flexible under FIFA’s loan restrictions.

The deal has sparked debate among fans, with some praising BlueCo’s innovative multi-club model, while others criticize it as a loophole that undermines competitive fairness. Enciso’s signing pushes BlueCo’s spending on Brighton talent past £250 million since their 2022 takeover of Chelsea, a testament to the strong relationship between the clubs. For Brighton, the transfer provides financial flexibility as Enciso’s contract was entering its final year, though some fans may lament losing another homegrown gem. For Enciso, the move to Strasbourg offers a fresh start after injury-plagued seasons, with the tantalizing prospect of eventually donning Chelsea’s blue. His medical, completed without hitches, dispels earlier concerns about his knee issues that derailed a previous BlueCo deal in late August. Under Rosenior’s guidance, Enciso is expected to thrive in Ligue 1, potentially following the path of former Brighton star Valentin Barco, who has also joined Strasbourg.

As the transfer window slams shut, BlueCo’s capture of Enciso signals their relentless ambition to dominate the transfer market through strategic, cross-club synergy. Chelsea fans will be watching closely, eager for glimpses of the Paraguayan’s magic in France, with hopes he’ll soon light up the Premier League once more—this time at Stamford Bridge.