Premier League champions Chelsea have bolstered their strike options by signing Pedro from Barcelona.
The 28-year-old Spaniard had spent his whole career at Barca, winning every major honour.
He said: “I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.”
Pedro was for weeks was rumoured to be pursued by Manchester United, and it appeared even just days ago that a deal would be struck to send him to Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, though, swept in under the radar over the past two days to hijack the transfer and bring to Stamford Bridge a forward who scored 15 La Liga goals two seasons ago.
The winner of five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010 had become marginalised at Barca; his 15 league starts in 2014/15 were the fewest since his first campaign with the club, in 2008/09, when the club won the league, cup and Champions League treble.
Barcelona repeated that feat last year, again with Pedro in a contributing role, as he supplied six goals and six assists in 20 substitute appearances, in addition to his 15 starts.
His 2013/14 season, with eight assists in addition to his 15 goals, will represent his peak at Barcelona. He registered bests in starts, appearances, goals and assists.
For Mourinho, he will represent a secondary strike option to primary target man Diego Costa and valuable insurance for his compatriot, who has frequently dealt with injury problems since his own move to West London after the 2013/14 season. Costa missed 12 Premier League matches for the champions last year.
More to come...
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