Chelsea have completed the signing of Brazilian striker Joao Pedro from Brighton in a deal reportedly worth £60 million ($79 million) on Wednesday.
Pedro travelled to the United States on Sunday, where Chelsea are competing in the Club World Cup, after agreeing to the terms of his eight-year contract.
With the transfer now confirmed following his medical, Pedro is eligible to feature for Enzo Maresca’s team in their Club World Cup quarter-final clash against Palmeiras in Philadelphia.
FIFA has given clubs involved in the Club World Cup knockout stage until July 3 to register new players for the tournament.
“Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,” Pedro said.
“They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now, so I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing – win.”
Pedro joined Brighton from Watford for £30 million two years ago, scored 30 goals in 70 appearances for the Seagulls, and has been capped three times by Brazil.
The 23-year-old missed Brighton’s final two matches of the season after being dropped due to a training ground altercation with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Pedro becomes the fourth player Chelsea have signed from Brighton in recent years, following Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez.
Having already secured a place in next season’s Champions League, Chelsea have also signed striker Liam Delap, midfielder Dario Essugo and defender Mamadou Sarr since the end of last season.
Brazilian prospect Estevao Willian, 18, will join the Blues after his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras.
Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens may also be on his way to Chelsea soon, with a deal worth up to a reported 65 million euros ($76 million) agreed for the 20-year-old on Saturday.
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