Stoke have announced that goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has moved to reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for much of the summer after Petr Cech departed for Arsenal, with the Bosnia international now providing competition for Thibaut Courtois.
Stoke, who signed experienced goalkeeper Shay Given last week, Tweeted confirmation that Begovic had made the move on Monday afternoon.
"BREAKING | Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has today completed a move to Premier League Champions @ChelseaFC," they wrote.
"Everybody at Stoke City would like to thank @asmir1 for his services & wish him the best of luck in the future #SCFC."
The 28-year-old established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper at the Brittania Stadium having moved from Portsmouth in 2010, winning the Stoke player of the year award in 2013.
Having been capped 41 times by Bosnia, Begovic has the experience and Premier League know-how to challenge Courtois for the goalkeeping berth in Jose Mourinho's side.
He issued a statement via Twitter thanking everyone at Stoke for his five years with the club and is ready to challenge himself with the champions.
"I would like to say thank you to everyone at Stoke Football club, the chairman and the Coates family, Mark Hughes and Tony Pulis, goalkeeper coach Andy Quy, all my team-mates and especially the fans who have made me and my family so welcome," he wrote.
"I have loved my time at Stoke, but feel I had to take this opportunity for me to continue to develop and challenge myself as a player.
"I am very proud of what we have achieved during my time at Stoke, and it has been a great team of players to work with. I wish you all the best for the season ahead."
Cech left Chelsea for London rivals Arsenal, with Begovic - who the Blues confirmed will wear the number one jersey - the second big summer arrival at Stamford Bridge following the loan signing of Monaco forward Radamel Falcao.
Source: PA
