Benayoun seals Chelsea switch

02 July 2010 17:13
Premier League champions Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool.[LNB] The 30-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and he joins the Blues on a three-year deal.[LNB]He told the club website: 'I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player. Hopefully we will be successful."[LNB]Benayoun, who has moved for an undisclosed fee, first moved to the Premier League in 2005 when he joined West Ham from Racing Santander.[LNB]His excellent form for the Hammers, for whom he played in the 2006 FA Cup final, saw him secure a move to Anfield in the summer of 2007.[LNB]He made 134 appearances for the Reds and scored 29 goals, including the header that gave the Merseysiders a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu when they met Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League during the 2008-09 season.[LNB]Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes the addition of Benayoun will help his side retain the Premier League title and finally secure Champions League glory.[LNB]The Italian said: "We are happy to have this new player. Yossi has a lot of quality in midfield and can play in lots of positions. I like his behaviour on the pitch and he will do a great job for us next season."[LNB]A Liverpool spokesman, confirming the move on the club website, said: "Yossi's departure was agreed between the player and (former manager) Rafael Benitez a number of weeks ago. Everybody at Liverpool FC wishes him well for the future."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk