Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Gonzalo Higuain.
The striker, 31, has joined the Blues on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent move.
Higuain, who played under Blues boss Maurizio Sarri at Napoli, was on a season-long loan at AC Milan from Juventus.
That loan was terminated, enabling the Argentina international to move to Stamford Bridge.
“When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it,” Higuain told Chelsea’s website.
“It’s a team I’ve always liked that has a lot of history, a wonderful stadium and they play in the Premier League, a league I’ve always wanted to play in.
“I now hope I can give back that trust Chelsea have shown me out on the pitch. I can’t wait to start and I hope to adapt as soon as possible.”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, who negotiated the deal, said: “Gonzalo was our number one target in this transfer window and arrives with a proven record at the highest level.
“He has previously worked with Maurizio to great effect and is familiar with how the coach likes to play.
‘This was not an easy deal for us to do because of the numerous parties involved, but we are delighted we were able to make it happen and we look forward to seeing the impact Gonzalo will make for us in the second half of the season.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Sarri said he hoped Higuain would give Chelsea some much-needed firepower.
The Italian has deployed Eden Hazard as a striker at times this season rather than select Alvaro Morata – who is set to join Atletico Madrid – or Olivier Giroud.
Sarri was keen to be reunited with Higuain, who had made it clear to AC Milan that he wanted to make the move to west London.
“He is a very strong striker, especially in my first season at Napoli. He did very well – he scored 36 goals in 35 matches in Serie A. In the season he scored 39 goals,” Sarri said.
“So he did very well. For sure he is one of the best strikers in my career.
“He played four seasons for Real Madrid, so I think he has the right experience to play here.
“We hope he will score goals for us but he is also good in terms of playing with other players.”
This post was last modified on 23/01/2019