Chelsea and Bolton Wanderers agreed to a fee for Gary Cahill some time ago, with Cahill and Chelsea beginning contract negotiations on January 1, but the two sides hit a few speed bumps over wages. All of the issues between the parties have finally been ironed out, and Cahill was introduced as a Chelsea player on Monday.
With Alex on his way out, John Terry possibly facing a future suspension and the team needing a bit of defensive depth anyway, Cahill will likely have plenty of opportunities to play at Stamford Bridge. He will reportedly be making around £80,000 per week and will occupy one of the English homegrown spots on Chelsea's Premier League roster and Champions League roster.
Said Cahill, about his move:
'Chelsea is a massive club, it is a club that looks to win trophies season in season out and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can't turn down.'
Cahill's form for Bolton hasn't been quite as good this season as it was last season, but that's partially the product of the lack of talent that was around him. With Petr Cech behind him and Michael Essien in front of him, he'll probably look a whole lot better.
For more on how Cahill's transfer is going to affect his former club, check out Bolton Wanderers blog Lion Of Vienna Suite. For more on Cahill's new team, head over to Chelsea FC blog We Ain't Got No History.