Chelsea summer signing Dastan Satpaev has officially bid farewell to Kairat Almaty as he prepares for his €2.4 million transfer to Stamford Bridge. The Kazakhstan international will officially complete his move upon turning 18 on August 12th, having said goodbye to teammates and staff last week.
Satpaev posted an emotional message on Instagram expressing his gratitude to the club and its supporters. He described his time at Kairat as the most important years of his life, highlighting the club’s role in his development and allowing him to pursue his footballing dreams. He thanked the fans for their unwavering support, as well as the academy coaches, the main team’s coaching staff, club management, and his fellow players.
During his time with Kairat, Satpaev established himself as a prolific goalscorer, netting 26 goals in 58 first-team appearances. This transfer will represent a club-record sale for Kairat Almaty. A clip circulating on social media from November 2025 shows Satpaev inadvertently scoring an own goal for Kairat, a moment that gained attention online.
Despite his talent, Satpaev is unlikely to feature prominently in Chelsea’s first team during the 2026-27 season. Joao Pedro is expected to remain the first-choice striker, with Emmanuel Emegha arriving from Strasbourg. While one of Liam Delap or Nicolas Jackson may be sold, the other is anticipated to stay at the club. Marc Guiu’s presence further limits immediate opportunities for Satpaev. As a result, a loan spell or a season with Chelsea’s U21 side appears the most probable path for his development. The club is also keen to ensure the continued progress of Chizaram Ezenwata, who is expected to lead the U21 attack next season, replacing Shumaira Mheuka, who is expected to go out on loan after winning the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award for 2025-26.
