Chelsea signing sends official goodbye message ahead of transfer

23 Jun 2026 06:02 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea summer signing Dastan Satpaev has sent an official goodbye message to Kairat Almaty ahead of his €2.4 million move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

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The Kazakhstan wonderkid will complete his long-awaited transfer to Chelsea after his 18th birthday on 12 August, and he said goodbye to his Kairat team-mates and the club’s staff last week.

Meanwhile, he posted an emotional farewell message on Instagram that read: “Thank you, Kairat!

“The most important years of my life are associated with this club. I grew up here, learned, and tried to better myself everyday. This club allowed me to take my first step in big football and follow my dreams.

“Thank you to the fans who have always felt their support. I thank all the coaches in the academy, the main team's coaching staff, the club management, Kairat Sovetayuly, all my partners on the field!

“Wearing the yellow and black shirt was a great honour for me. These moments will be etched in my heart forever!”

Satpaev scored 26 goals in 58 first-team appearances for Kairat, and he will leave the club as their most expensive sale in history.

The keeper won't want to watch that one back 🫣

Kairat Almaty are absolutely gifted a goal ⚽️

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/awaOLrsRLs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2025

Will Dastan Satpaev play for Chelsea next season?

Although Satpaev is considered to be one of the most talented young strikers in world football, there is very little chance that he will play a role in Chelsea’s first-team next season.

Joao Pedro is set to retain his place as Chelsea’s first-choice striker in 2026-27, Emmanuel Emegha will arrive from Strasbourg and while one of Liam Delap or Nicolas Jackson are set to be sold before the end of the summer transfer window, the other is expected to remain in west London.

Marc Guiu is also at the club and as a result, Satpaev is likely to either play for Chelsea’s U21 side next season or be sent out on loan to continue his development.

As things stand, the latter option seems more feasible, especially as the Blues will be keen to avoid stunting the growth of Chizaram Ezenwata, who is expected to replace Shumaira Mheuka as the U21 striker next year.

Mheuka, meanwhile, is expected to head out on loan after winning the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award for 2025-26.

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