Stoke have announced that goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has moved to reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for much of the summer after Petr Cech departed for Arsenal, with the Bosnia international now providing competition for Thibaut Courtois.

Stoke, who signed experienced goalkeeper Shay Given last week, Tweeted confirmation that Begovic had made the move on Monday afternoon.

“Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has today completed a move to Premier League Champions @ChelseaFC,” they wrote.

“Everybody at Stoke City would like to thank @asmir1 for his services & wish him the best of luck in the future #SCFC.”

The 28-year-old established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at the Brittania Stadium having moved from Portsmouth in 2010, winning the Stoke player of the year award in 2013.

Having been capped 41 times by Bosnia, Begovic has the experience and Premier League know-how to challenge Courtois for the goalkeeping berth.

“I have loved my time at Stoke, but feel I had to take this opportunity for me to continue to develop and challenge myself as a player,” he said in a statement.

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