Chelsea Football Club News

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

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Cole finally a Blue

01 Sep 2006 - 07:44:40

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Chelsea have finally completed the signing of Ashley Cole in a swap deal that sees William Gallas moving to Arsenal.

Negotiations about the England left-back's move to the Premiership champions have been going on for months, but disagreements about the fee looked set to see the transfer collapse.

However, the Gunners eventually accepted an offer of £5million plus France central defender Gallas and the deal was finalised minutes before the transfer window closed.

A joint statement issued by the two London clubs in the early hours of Friday morning confirmed: "Chelsea FC and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas.

"Chelsea will also pay Arsenal 5m pounds.

"Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals."

Cole, 25, had been desperate to leave Arsenal for months following the tapping-up affair, while Gallas, 29, had been equally keen to leave Chelsea after growing tired of being played out of position at left-back.