Chelsea have made their first signing of the summer, beating Manchester City to the signing of Italian International midfielder Jorginho.
Jorginho becomes the first signing for the London club after manager Antonio Conte was sacked and Maurizio Sarri was appointed.
The Italian midfielder was a target for Manchester City but Chelsea won his signature with a £57m (€65m/$86m) offer and a 5-year contract.
Jorginho was a lynchpin in Napoli’s midfield as they stormed to second position in the Serie A second only to Juventus.
Jorginho said on his move: “I am absolutely ecstatic to be here at Chelsea. It is not easy to become part of such a big team so I am very, very happy.
“I am excited to play in such an intense league, for a team that gives everything to play and win.”
“We are delighted Jorginho has chosen to join Chelsea,” Chelsea’s club director Marina Granovskaia said. “He was one of the most coveted midfielders in Europe and will become an important member of the playing squad.
“He has demonstrated his quality working under Maurizio Sarri and we are convinced his signing will help bring further success to Stamford Bridge.”
It had initially been thought that Jorginho would join Manchester City with his agent even going so far as to confirm that talks had occurred between the player and City
His agent had said at the time: “Jorginho is good at Napoli, but there are negotiations with Manchester City and this is why we do not talk about a renewal.
“We are talking about a lad for whom Manchester City represents the opportunity of a lifetime.”
The midfielder will sport the Number 5 jersey and it is expected that he’ll form a relationship with Chelsea’s N’golo Kante in the heart of the Chelsea midfield.
The 26-year-old scored 2 times last season and had 4 assists.
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