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Chelsea agree Robben transfer

Dutch international winger Arjen Robben will join Chelsea FC from PSV Eindhoven in the summer in an €18m deal.

International ambition
The 20-year-old underwent a medical at Stamford Bridge yesterday and has agreed a five-year contract. Under the deal, Robben, whose contract with PSV was due to expire in 2007, will see out the season with the Eredivisie side before joining Chelsea on 1 July.

Chivu comparison
"In the current transfer market this is a big transfer," said PSV president Harry Van Raaij. "In Holland the only recent transfer that can be compared with this one is the one of [Romania defender] Cristian Chivu from [AFC] Ajax to AS Roma. It is the case in Dutch football that every now and then you have to sell a player to keep your financial budget in balance."

'Fantastic addition'

Arjen Robben will be a fantastic addition to our squad

United interest
Robben, who had been linked with a move to Manchester United FC earlier this year, was signed by PSV in 2001, although he played another season at former club FC Groningen before moving to the Philips stadium. He has four caps for his country and scored his second international goal in last month's 1-0 friendly victory against the United States.

'Good vision'
Robben's father Hans, who also acts as his manager, was delighted with the idea of his son moving to London. "I have the impression that Chelsea certainly have a good vision for the future," he said. "It is not a club where they just buy anything that comes along. They are busy with buying players for specific positions and they are really looking for young players. Arjen will certainly be part of the starting lineup."