Shevchenko moves to Chelsea

Premiership champions Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Milan striker Andrei Shevchenko for a club record fee.

The Ukraine international had spent most of Wednesday discussing a move to Stamford Bridge after asking to leave Milan.

Shevchenko had enjoyed seven seasons with the Rossoneri, but asked for a transfer due to family reasons.

The Italian titans grudgingly acceded to the 29-year-old's demands and he has now agreed a four-year contract with Chelsea.

The Ukraine Football Federation had claimed that The Blues had stumped up ‚é¼36 million (£24.5 million) for the fearsome hot shot, while previous reports had suggested that Chelsea would have to splash out a British record fee of £35 million to secure Shevchenko's signature.

Though Chelsea have not divulged the exact amount, the figure does eclipse the £24.4 million the club paid Lyon for Michael Essien last summer.

Shevchenko has expressed his delight at joining The Premiership's big-spenders and is happy to have his future resolved before the World Cup finals.

"I am here for the challenge and the excitement of playing in The Premier League," Shevchenko told the club's official website.

"I am going from one big club to another and joining a team of champions.

"There is a right moment to join a football club and I think I have arrived here at the perfect time.

"The Champions League has to be a realistic target for next season, but it is not just about the Champions League. Chelsea is going for their third Premiership as well and I like the club's mentality of wanting to win every game they play.

"I have followed Mr Mourinho's career carefully for the last few years and have been hugely impressed with the way he manages.

"He puts team ethic before individual expression which is the way I believe great teams are created.

"Had money been my motivation for coming, I would probably have stayed in Milan.

"I am pleased that Chelsea managed to conclude everything before the World Cup - I can go to Germany with a clear mind and proud to be a Chelsea player."

Jose Mourinho could not contain his joy at signing Shevchenko - the player he claims is the one he has wanted to sign since his appointment as Chelsea boss two years ago.

The Portuguese said: "Today is a day when the dream became reality. Andrei has always been my first choice for Chelsea since I arrived. Before it was not possible, now it is for real. He has great qualities, ambition, discipline, tactical awareness and of course he is a great goalscorer.

"I did not need to meet with him to convince him about Chelsea, in the same way we did not need to talk a lot about why I wanted him. Everybody knows him as a player, tactically he can play in the Chelsea system no doubt.

"Milan is a big club, a great club, but for him to leave Milan for Chelsea is a big statement about where Chelsea is. He is a champion and he is joining a team of champions. I have already spoken to some of our players and they are looking forward to playing with him. Great players want to play with other great players."

Shevchenko becomes Mourinho's third capture since the end of the season, with Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou already agreeing moves to West London.