Chelsea have completed the signing of Willian from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala following a successful work permit appeal.
The 25-year-old Brazilian had initially held talks with Liverpool over a move to the Premier League after Anzhi owner Suleyman Kerimov decided to slash the club's wage bill.
However, he then looked to have chosen Tottenham Hotspur over a move to Merseyside and flew into London for talks and a medical.
But it then emerged late last week that the Blues had pipped Spurs to the signature of the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.
And Willian has now signed on a five-year deal from Anzhi for a reported £30 million and will wear the number 22 shirt at Stamford Bridge.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's been my dream to come and play here," Willian told the club's official website.
"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."
Willian is thrilled by the opportunity to work with José Mourinho, and believes his game will improve under the stewardship of the Portuguese manager.
He added: "It's going to be an immense pleasure to work with José Mourinho, listen to him and learn from him.
"He's one of the best coaches in the world with everything he's won. I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot and improve a lot."
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| New signing Willian poses with his Chelsea jersey after completing his move from Anzhi Photo: Chelsea FC |
The 25-year-old Brazilian had initially held talks with Liverpool over a move to the Premier League after Anzhi owner Suleyman Kerimov decided to slash the club's wage bill.
However, he then looked to have chosen Tottenham Hotspur over a move to Merseyside and flew into London for talks and a medical.
But it then emerged late last week that the Blues had pipped Spurs to the signature of the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.
And Willian has now signed on a five-year deal from Anzhi for a reported £30 million and will wear the number 22 shirt at Stamford Bridge.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's been my dream to come and play here," Willian told the club's official website.
"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."
Willian is thrilled by the opportunity to work with José Mourinho, and believes his game will improve under the stewardship of the Portuguese manager.
He added: "It's going to be an immense pleasure to work with José Mourinho, listen to him and learn from him.
"He's one of the best coaches in the world with everything he's won. I'm sure I'm going to learn a lot and improve a lot."
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