BLUES COMPLETE PETIT DEAL
Tuesday's announcement finally brings to a halt the carousel of newspaper speculation which has seen the former Arsenal man linked with an eleventh hour move to Premiership champions Manchester United.
Hutchinson, who later confirmed that Petit was their key summer signing, revealed the financial details, saying: "Emmanuel will sign a £7.5 million three-year deal with Chelsea from July 1."
Petit revealed why he chose Stamford Bridge, saying: "I realised when I was in Barcelona how much I missed life in England. Chelsea made the better approach to me, and they were very determined, very strong, and that is why I made my decision."
Petit was probed about Manchester United`s interest, but Hutchison stepped in saying: "It was not serious at all. Manchester United were fully aware that Emmanuel had an agreement with Chelsea, and I don't know what they were trying to do, you will have to ask Sir Alex (Ferguson) on that one."
Hutchinson brought a swift end to that line of question, adding: "We are not here to discuss Manchester United, we are here to talk about Emmanuel Petit signing for Chelsea."
Despite the earlier £11 million signing of Frank Lampard from West Ham, Hutchinson said: "He [Petit] was our key signing for the summer. Claudio Ranieri has been watching him for many months; we have tried to do things properly, and he was our number one target."
Petit is Chelsea's third major signing of the summer and will link up with fellow newcomers William Gallas and Lampard when the club begins its pre-season training programme in July.
