Ballack cheered by Chelsea challenge

Chelsea FC have unveiled Germany midfielder Michael Ballack as their first signing of the summer.

'Very happy'
Speaking after inking his three-year contract at Stamford Bridge, the 29-year-old said: "I am very happy to be here and sign a contract. London is a nice city. I ask some players about England, like Robert Huth and Jens Lehmann, and they told me good things about this country." His manager José Mourinho said Ballack would "not be the first of many" new arrivals, adding: "We just need two or three very good players."

Honours
In his four years at FC Bayern München, Ballack won three Bundesliga titles and three German Cups. He arrived in Bavaria having helped Bayer 04 Leverkusen to the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2002, and has been at the vanguard of a successful period for Bayern who have just landed their second double in as many seasons. "I've had a great time and felt good with a great team that won a lot of titles," Ballack said.

Mourinho confident
The day after Chelsea celebrated their Premiership victory with an open-topped bus parade through the streets of west London, Mourinho said: "He believes in us, he believes in Chelsea, he believes he can have success. He believes in three, four years' success for him in a crucial time of his career. I think we are very happy and I think also English football should be happy to have such a player playing in the Premiership."

Jeered
Bayern supporters, disappointed with Ballack's decision to leave, jeered him during his last game for the club against BV Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. "The fans are sensitive to what is said," said the playmaker. "But I always tried hard to do my job and that should be honoured." Ballack will be vying for a place in a strong central midfield that includes three players also bound for the FIFA World Cup - England's Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele of France and Ghanaian Michael Essien.