AFP
LONDON, FEBRUARY 3
English Premier League leaders Chelsea sealed the signing of Colombia international winger Juan Cuadrado from Serie A side Fiorentina for an undisclosed fee on Monday.
Cuadrado seals Chelsea move on quiet transfer deadline day The Associated Press
Blues boss Jose Mourinho had been linked with a move for Cuadrado for several weeks and he finally landed his target after making room in his squad by selling Germany winger Andre Schuerrle to Bundesliga title challengers Wolfsburg earlier on transfer deadline day.The 26-year-old, who agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the west London club, told Chelsea’s website: “I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given.
“This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.”
Cuadrado, who had been at Fiorentina since 2012 after joining from Udinese, caught the eye with sparkling performances for Colombia at last year’s World Cup finals where they reached the quarter-finals only to be beaten by hosts Brazil.
He is reported to have cost Chelsea an initial fee of £23.3 million ($34.9 million, 30.8 million euros), which could rise to £26.8 million.
Cuadrado arrives at Stamford Bridge after five-and-a-half years in Italy, having first joined Udinese from Independiente Medellin.
Capped 37 times by his country, he scored 20 goals in 85 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina.
Cuadrado is keen to sample the unique experience of playing for Mourinho and set his sights on helping his new club win the English title for the first time since 2010.
“It is really going to be brilliant to work with one of the best coaches anywhere in the world,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be playing for him and I think he is going to help me grow into a better player.
“The best part about this dream is that I’m going to be part of such a big club. For me that is a huge motivation to perform well.
“We are a big club, so winning important things. Playing for this team, the league championship is I think the most important thing.
“As for everything else, Chelsea have big players so we want to win big things.”
As part of the deal, Egypt winger Mohamed Salah joined Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old moved to the Bridge from FC Basel last January, making his debut a month later and going on to open his goalscoring account in the 6-0 win over Arsenal in March.
But his involvement had been limited mostly to occasional substitute appearances this season.
Meanwhile, Chelsea also announced that Stipe Perica will spend the next 18 months on loan in Italy at Udinese.
The Croatian Under-21 international striker, who signed for Chelsea in August 2013, has been on loan at NAC Breda in the Netherlands.
