Willian completes transfer to Chelsea, signs a five-year deal with the Blues

The transfer of Willian to Chelsea is complete after the club announced the signing of the 25-year-old attacking midfielder today.

By Zach Woosley Aug 28, 2013, 10:42am EDT

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian Borges da Silva on a five-year contract from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. The club released a statement on their official website announcing the deal while introducing the 25-year-old to their fans in the wake of his work permit details being ironed out.

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The transfer is reportedly worth £32 million.

Willian had reportedly been on the verge of a move to Tottenham in the previous week, but the Blues swooped in and hijacked the deal to the chagrin of Spurs supporters. After completing a medical with Spurs last Thursday, Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich apparently made a call to Anzhi owner Suleyman Kerimov and worked out the details for a deal that would bring the midfielder to Chelsea.

In an interview with Chelsea's website, the Brazilian expressed his excitement about joining the club based in London.

"I've always been following Chelsea and every time I came to London I would try to see a Chelsea game and see how the team was doing because it's been my dream to come to play here. Finally it's become a reality, and when the offer came I never gave a thought to anybody else, I said to myself that I would run here, and I'm happy to be here now. Chelsea was always my first choice."

Willian will wear the number 22 jersey with the Blues.

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