Meireles moves to Fenerbahce

Raul Meireles has completed his move from Chelsea to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, the Premier League club have confirmed.

Portuguese playmaker makes expected Chelsea exit

Raul Meireles has completed his move from Chelsea to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, the Premier League club have confirmed. It was on Monday lunchtime Fenerbahce revealed discussions were taking place between the two sides regarding the midfielder and a deal has now been reached, with the Turkish transfer window open until Wednesday. Meireles had this season made only one start in three Premier League games for Chelsea and was an unused substitute in the Super Cup defeat by Atletico Madrid. A statement on Monday evening on Chelsea's official website read: "Raul Meireles has today joined Fenerbahce on a permanent transfer.

Different direction

"The move was completed before the close of the Turkish transfer window later this week." The arrivals of the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar had been an indication European champions Chelsea were looking in a different, younger direction to Meireles. And the 29-year-old has therefore left after just more than a year since he moved to Chelsea on the British summer transfer deadline day of 2011. The Portuguese will be reunited with Dirk Kuyt at Fenerbahce having spent a year with the Dutchman at Liverpool. Meireles was a second-half substitute as Chelsea defeated Liverpool in last season's FA Cup final but he missed their historic UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich due to suspension.