Why Moises Caicedo contacted Franco Zola after joining Chelsea

Moises Caicedo had to seek the opinion of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola to request his iconic shirt number 25, it has been revealed.

Caicedo joined Chelsea from Brighton this week, after the west London side paid a British record sum of £115m.

The young midfielder signed an eight-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge until 2031 with an option to extend it by a further year until 2032.

Liverpool thought they had signed the Ecuador international after agreeing a stunning £111m deal but the player preferred a move to Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was keen to keep hold of the No.25 shirt he wore at Brighton, but the number has sentimental value at Chelsea and no-one has worn it since Zola.

Zola played for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, registering 80 goals across 312 appearances and won various trophies – including two FA Cup triumphs.

Caicedo contacted Zola to see if the Italian would be happy to let him wear the No.25 shirt for Chelsea.

“Thank you for the message, Moises,” Zola said. “I hope it will bring to you as many pleasures as it brought to me. Good luck.”