Thursday Jun 14 2007 17:22
Chelsea have beaten off competition from
Newcastle United to snap up the
Bolton Wanderers defender Tal Ben Haim on a free transfer.
The Israel international completed his medical on Thursday before agreeing personal terms on a four-year deal.
The 25-year-old becomes the third new arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer following the purchases of Claudio Pizarro and Steven Sidwell.
Ben Haim spent three seasons at the Reebok Stadium making 110 appearances for the club following his transfer from Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2004.
The defender, who is currently in Israel ahead of his wedding this weekend, will join up with Chelsea next month for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce was hoping to re-sign his out-of-contract former defender following his move to St James' Park from Bolton Wanderers last month.
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