Chelsea have completed the signing of Barcelona forward Pedro in a deal believed to be worth €30million.
The Premier League champions stepped in to sign the Spain international ahead of Manchester United who had seemingly led the way in negotiations for the Spanish international in recent weeks.
Chelsea announced the deal on their website, but gave no information regarding the transfer or the length of the contract signed by the 28-year-old. They did though include some quotes from their latest signing;
“I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.
“Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.”
The move appeared all but done on Thursday morning when the winger missed training with Barcelona.
"Pedro Rodriguez was given special permission by the club to miss training in order to concentrate on matters concerning his future," read a story on Barcelona's official website ahead of the Primera Division season-opener with Athletic Bilbao.
Jose Mourinho has acted quickly and decisively in the transfer market after Chelsea endured their worst start to a season in 17 years.
Shortly after their 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, Chelsea signed left-back Baba Rahman from Augsburg, and on Wednesday it emerged they were close to signing Pedro.
The Barcelona forward had been in talks with United, but United sources insist Van Gaal decided against signing the Spain forward after it became apparent he had reservations about moving to Old Trafford.
That may come as a surprise to United fans, who were hopeful of seeing the forward in Manchester soon after executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward flew to Catalonia on Monday in an attempt to seal a deal for the player.
The Blues also hope to conclude the signing of Everton defender John Stones before the transfer window shuts on September 1st.
