Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Blues bag Boulahrouz

21 Aug 2006 - 10:26:25

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Chelsea have completed the signing of Netherlands international defender Khalid Boulahrouz from German side SV Hamburg for an undisclosed fee.

The versatile 24-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms over the weekend to tie up his switch to Stamford Bridge.

Boulahrouz had been with Hamburg for two seasons, having previously made his name in the Dutch league with RKC Waalwijk.

He has also been a regular member of the Oranje set-up in the last couple of years and was part of their World Cup squad this summer, however, his tournament ended in ignominy as he was sent off in the second round loss to Portugal.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho said after the 3-0 win over Manchester City: "Now I have Boulahrouz, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry, three options for the centre.

"I can have Paulo Ferreira and Boulahrouz, two options for the right side and I can have Boulahrouz and Wayne Bridge, two options for the left side."

Blues assistant manager Steve Clarke had earlier told Chelsea TV: "He is a good competitive player and will be a good addition to our squad.

"He can play centre-back or either full-back. I think he is right-footed and it is important to have one or two players around the squad who can play in a number of different positions."