Blues seal Ivanovic signing
16 Jan 2008 - 14:54:25
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- Blues seal Ivanovic signing
Chelsea have wrapped up the signing of Lokomotiv Moscow defender Branislav Ivanovic on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Ivanovic is the second major arrival at Stamford Bridge this month following on from the £15million capture of striker Nicolas Anelka from Bolton Wanderers, as the Blues seek to cover for a number of injuries to key players.
The 23-year-old captained the Serbia side which reached the final of last year's UEFA Under-21 European Championship and was also named in the team of the tournament.
The Blues were keen to bolster their defence in the continued absence through injury of captain John Terry, leading coach Avram Grant to make a move to land the highly-rated youngster.
Ivanovic, who can play anywhere across the back four, has won nine full international caps and scored one goal for the Baltic nation.
He told the Blues' official club website: "It is the dream of every footballer to want to move on and improve yourself and the ultimate is to play for such a big team as this."