Shevchenko seals Chelsea switch

Chelsea FC have confirmed the signing of the AC Milan and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko for a club record fee, thought to be around €45m.

Four-year contract
The capture of the 29-year-old Ukraine captain is Chelsea's third coup of the close season following the arrival of Germany skipper Michael Ballack from FC Bayern München and Feyenoord forward Salomon Kalou. Shevchenko, who completed a medical and agreed personal terms for a four-year contract in London today, said: "I am here for the challenge and the excitement of playing in the Premiership. I am going from one big club to another and joining a team of champions. There is a right moment to join a football club and I think I have arrived here at the perfect time.

'First choice'
"I have followed Mr Mourinho's career carefully for the last few years and have been hugely impressed with the way he manages. He puts team ethic before individual expression, which is the way I believe great teams are created. I am pleased that Chelsea managed to conclude everything before the [FIFA] World Cup - I can go to Germany with a clear mind and proud to be a Chelsea player." Chelsea manager José Mourinho said: "Andriy has always been my first choice for Chelsea since I arrived. He has great qualities, ambition, discipline, tactical awareness and of course he is a great goalscorer."