Chelsea complete Belletti signing

[MuppetBoy]

Chelsea have completed the signing of Barcelona right-back Juliano Belletti for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old Brazilian has put pen to paper on a three-year deal after agreeing personal terms and completing a medical at Stamford Bridge.

Belletti told Chelsea's website: "The transfer has all been a great surprise. I only spoke to Chelsea about the move on Wednesday.

"We reached an agreement and so did Chelsea and Barca with no problems."

Belletti joined Barcelona in 2004 from Villarreal but only made 13 appearances for the Catalan club last season.

The Brazilian scored the winning goal in Barcelona's Champions League win over Arsenal in 2006.

However, the arrival of World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta squeezed Belletti out of the Barca first team.

Chelsea are believed to have turned their attention to Belletti after their attempt to sign Dani Alves stalled again.

Sevilla turned down two improved offers for the full-back this week, with Chelsea and Real Madrid both in the hunt.

The Spanish club were understood to want £27m for Alves but Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said the club would not be forced into spending above the market price.

Source: BBC Sport

[Mship]

Know nothing about Belletti, but I'm delighted to see that we've not allowed ourselves to be held to ransom in our bid to sign Alves

Maybe we had to spend big for the first couple of years (after Abramovich landed), but now the squads up there with the best so the need to spend ain't so great

Kev

[BGonaSTICK]

Funny how it's now Real Madrid who are spending enormous amounts buying all the most expensive players in the world, and nobody is batting an eyelid?!