PSG has announced the signing of 29-year-old Brazil international defender Alex, sold by Chelsea for a fee believed to be in the £4 million range. Several other clubs -including Premier League side Queens Park Rangers- were rumored to be in the hunt for Alex, but PSG's interest was persistent and in recent weeks the move has seemed all but a foregone conclusion.
Alex moved to Chelsea from Santos in 2004 and spent his first three seasons on loan to Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven. Though rarely a fixture in the first team, the center back made 87 appearances for Chelsea in his four-and-a-half seasons with the club. He is the latest high-profile player to join the nouveau riche PSG, and will help to bolster a defense that already ranks amongst the very best in Ligue 1. Alex should be an excellent fit for new manager Carlo Ancelotti's managerial style, and his passing, ability to join in the attack and dangerous free kicks will give Les Parisiens yet another dangerous weapon as they look to put even more distance between themselves and the rest of the league.