Tuesday 3 February 2015 08:22, UK
Juan Cuadrado has completed his £26.1million switch from Fiorentina to Premier League leaders Chelsea.
The 26-year-old Colombia forward has signed a four and half year deal and could make his Blues debut at Aston Villa this weekend.
Chelsea's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah will move in the opposite direction on loan and will be with Fiorentina until the end of the season.
Cuadrado played an eye-catching role in Colombia's run to the quarter finals at last summer's World Cup in Brazil, scoring in the 4-1 victory over Japan and contributing four assists, a tally only equalled by Germany's Toni Kroos.
He has since scored six goals in 23 appearances in Italy and the Chelsea website described their new signing as playing "predominantly behind a striker, but he is also comfortable on either flank. Pacy and agile, he is a purposeful attacking threat with an eye for the spectacular."
Cuadrado said: "I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given.
"This is a great club and, honestly, it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.
"The best part about this dream is that I'm going to be part of such a big club and that's huge motivation to perform well. I'm quick and positive and I have to show that to help my team-mates.
"It's really going to be brilliant to work with one of the best coaches anywhere in the world. I'm very proud to be playing for him and think he will make me a better player.
"We are a big club so we can win important things. Playing for this team, the league championship is I think the most important thing. As for everything else, Chelsea have big players so we want to win big things.
"Best wishes to all of the Chelsea fans. I hope to perform for them in the best possible way and I hope we can achieve a lot of things together."
Honestly, it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.
Cuadrado has been capped 37 times by Colombia, scoring on five occasions.
He came to prominence with Independiente Medellin in Colombia and then played for Udinese and Lecce in Italy before joining Fiorentina in July 2012.
Sky Sports expert Thierry Henry said: “I think the Chelsea fans will be delighted with this news and I can’t wait to see him in the Premier League.
“I like the fact he is not scared. He won’t shy away from anything and that is the type of player you want at your club. That’s a great move for Chelsea.”
And Jamie Redknapp added: “I think Schurrle made a reasonable impact at Chelsea but I think this guy has a little bit more about him.
“A bit more skill, he can offer shots from distance, he can dribble with the ball.”
The Cuadrado deal was completed following Chelsea's sale of Germany World Cup winner Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg and Salah will also be heading out of Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea website reported: "Mohamed Salah has today joined Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season.
"The 22-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from FC Basel last January, making his debut a month later and going on to open his goalscoring account in the 6-0 win over Arsenal in March.
"His involvement has been limited this season and largely from the substitutes’ bench."
And Chelsea's Croatian U21 international striker Stipe Perica, who had been loaned out to NAC Breda in Holland, will be on loan with Udinese for the next 18 months.
