Zhirkov added to Chelsea armoury
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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Yuri Zhirkov has finalised his move to Chelsea FC, the 25-year-old Russian international winger agreeing terms on a three-year deal after the west London club agreed to pay a reported fee of €21m.
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Yuri Zhirkov has signed for Chelsea FC, with the 25-year-old agreeing terms on a three-year contract after the London club agreed to pay a reported fee of €21m for the Russian international winger.
Reported fee
The 31-times capped Zhrikov was confirmed as a Chelsea signing on Tuesday evening, and joins fellow newcomers Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge at Stamford Bridge. "Any footballer would be happy to sign a contract with Chelsea and at any time," he said as he was unveiled. "I always used to watch English football on TV and know about Dmitri Kharine and Aleksei Smertin at Chelsea." Having made his professional debut FC Spartak Tambov on 22 August 2001, Zhirkov joined CSKA at the end of 2003 and won two league titles, three Russian Cups and the 2004/05 UEFA Cup with the Army Men. His final game for the club was a 1-0 win against FC Rubin Kazan on 31 May 2009. Chelsea and CSKA both start their UEFA Champions League campaigns in the group stage.
