Malouda set for Chelsea switch

France midfielder Florent Malouda is set to join Chelsea FC after Olympique Lyonnais and the English Premier League club reached agreement on the player's transfer.

'Agreement reached'
Malouda has been linked with a move to London for a number of weeks but a reported €20m deal has finally been agreed with a medical examination today standing between the French international and a move to Stamford Bridge. "We have reached an agreement," said Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas after a friendly between Lyon and LOSC Lille Métropole in Albertville on Sunday. "It's fantastic and great news for Florent." Chelsea have also appointed former Israel coach Avraham Grant, 51, as their new director of football.

Player of the Year
Malouda, 27, signed for Lyon from En Avant Guingamp in 2003 for €6.5m and won four French titles in his four seasons at Lyon, scoring 25 league goals in 138 appearances. He signed off by winning Ligue 1's 2006/07 Player of the Year award. A member of the France squad that reached last year's FIFA World Cup final, he has played 30 internationals, scoring three goals for his country. Malouda will become Chelsea's fourth signing of the summer after the arrival of defender Tal Ben Haim, midfielder Steve Sidwell and striker Claudio Pizarro. José Mourinho's side will join Lyon in the UEFA Champions League group stage after finishing as runners-up in the English top flight last season.