Chelsea announce Ivanović arrival
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Article summary
Chelsea FC will make Branislav Ivanović their second signing of 2008, paying FC Lokomotiv Moskva a reported €12m for the Serbian international defender.
Article body
Chelsea FC will make Branislav Ivanović their second signing of 2008, paying FC Lokomotiv Moskva a reported €12m for the Serbian international defender.
'Terms agreed'
"Chelsea can confirm it has agreed terms with Lokomotiv Moscow for the transfer. A work permit application has also been successful," the London club said in a statement. Ivanović's arrival at Stamford Bridge will follow that of the €20m Nicolas Anelka last week.
High praise
The centre-back, who is also comfortable at right-back, moves to the Premier League after two seasons in Russia with Lokomotiv, where he made 54 top-flight appearances. He had been touted as the "best young defender in Europe" by the Moscow team when he was transferred there from OFK Beograd.
Russian Cup win
His performances for OFK earned him the first of his eight international caps in summer 2006. Belgrade giants FK Crvena Zvezda and FK Partizan were then poised to battle for his services but it was Lokomotiv who secured his signature. Ivanović played a part in the Railwaymen's Russian Cup success last May, and featured in 26 of their 30 Premier-Liga games in the 2007 season. If registered, he will be eligible for the UEFA Champions League when Chelsea play Olympiacos CFP in the first knockout round.
