New Chelsea signing Tosin Adarabioyo has been assigned the iconic number 4 shirt, a jersey number steeped in history and worn by several former captains of the club, according to All Nigeria Soccer. The Nigerian defender inherits a shirt number previously worn by legends such as Ruud Gullit, Andy Townsend, Terry Venables, and Ron Harris.
Adarabioyo's assignment of the number 4 shirt is a significant nod to his potential leadership role at Chelsea. The 24-year-old defender joins a long list of notable players who have worn the number 4 shirt, including Andreas Christensen, Cesc Fàbregas, David Luiz, Claude Makélélé, Juan Sebastián Verón, Jes Högh, Steve Clarke, Michael Duberry, and Craig Burley.
The number 4 shirt has been vacant since Benoit Badiashile switched to the number 5 shirt ahead of the 2023-2024 season. Adarabioyo's inheritance of the shirt number is a testament to his impressive performances at Fulham, where he wore the same number during his last two seasons.
As Adarabioyo prepares for his Chelsea debut, he will be aware of the rich history and expectation that comes with wearing the number 4 shirt. The defender's ability to live up to the standards set by his predecessors will be closely watched by Chelsea fans and the football world at large.
Tosin Adarabioyo's assignment of the iconic number 4 shirt is a significant development in his Chelsea career, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see him don the jersey and make his mark on the pitch.