Chelsea move for Marseille's Azpilicueta

Chelsea FC have continued their busy summer of recruitment with the signing of Olympique de Marseille defender Cesar Azpilicueta in a deal reportedly worth €8.8m.

The European champions have not disclosed the length of contract penned by the 22-year-old Spaniard, who links up with compatriots Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Oriol Romeu at Stamford Bridge. Usually deployed as a right-back by Marseille, Azpilicueta played 47 times in Ligue 1, scoring once, after making the switch from CA Osasuna in 2010.

In 2007 Azpilicueta was part of Spain's UEFA European Under-19 Championship triumph and tasted success at U21 level four years later in Denmark. He becomes Chelsea's fourth major summer acquisition following the arrivals of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar.

The west Londoners will find out their opponents in the UEFA Champions League group stage when the draw is made in Monaco on 30 August, the day before they take on Club Atlético de Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup. Matchday one of the UEFA Champions League will be held on 18 and 19 September.