Chelsea complete Deco deal

Blues capture Portuguese star

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 30th June 2008

Deco Barcelona April 2008

Deco: Two-year deal

To have great players in any position enhances the club. It is a new challenge but I am looking forward to it.

Deco on joining Chelsea
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Chelsea have completed the signing of Barcelona playmaker Deco for a reported fee of £7.9million.

It is understood Deco has agreed a two-year deal in West London after passing a medical and that he will cost Chelsea a fee in the region of 10million euros (£7.9m).

The 30-year-old becomes new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's first signing, despite the fact that the Brazilian does not officially take over at Stamford Bridge until Tuesday.

A statement on Chelsea's official website said: "Chelsea football club is delighted to confirm the signing of Deco from FC Barcelona."

Scolari reunion

Summer speculation consistently linked Deco with a move to Chelsea and the arrival of Scolari stoked the rumours.

Former Portugal boss Scolari coached Deco, who impressed at Euro 2008, at international level and it was thought that both parties were keen for a reunion.

Having now completed the deal, the Blues could view Deco as a possible replacement for Frank Lampard, who is being strongly linked with a move to Internazionale.

And Deco is looking forward to the challenge of overhauling Manchester United in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League after Chelsea finished runners-up to the Red Devils in both competitions last season.

Challenge

"I am sure I have come at the right time to do great things and be able to help Chelsea go back to the way it was," Deco told Chelsea TV.

"The Premier League is a great league and it is getting better and you can see that with the Champions League final, where you had two English teams.

"It is great that we have so many great players here at Chelsea and it is great that there is the competition which is healthy for everybody and this just makes the team better.

"To have great players in any position of the club just enhances the club. I know it is a new challenge but I am looking forward to it.

"I know I need a little bit of time to adapt, but I am sure I will adapt quite well and quite fast and do my best for the team."