WillianBrazilian playmaker Willian has sealed a move to Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala after being granted a work permit, the English Premier League club said yesterday.
The 25-year-old has signed a five-year-deal after last week appearing set to join London rivals Tottenham Hotspur following a medical at White Hart Lane before Chelsea swooped.
The club did not disclose a transfer fee yesterday but British media estimated he cost about £30 million (€25.76 million).
“I’m very happy to be here. It has been a dream of mine to come and play here,” Willian, who has played twice for Brazil, told the club’s official website (www.chelseafc.com).
“Chelsea are one of the best clubs in the world, and now I’m going to play for one of the best managers in the world (Jose Mourinho)... so I’m very happy and looking forward to it.”
Willian, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger, joined Anzhi from Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk in January, where he scored 20 goals in 140 league appearances.
Anzhi owner Suleiman Kerimov has reportedly put his entire first team up for sale, having sacked coach Rene Meulensteen.
Willian joins Germany forward Andre Schurrle, Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer as recent arrivals at Stamford Bridge.