Chelsea FC have completed the signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Stoke City for A?8 million.
Chelsea FC were in the transfer market for a goalkeeper after Petr Cech had departed for Arsenal FC in a A?11 million move.
The club have announced the capture of Stoke City goalkeeper Begovic as a replacement for the Czech republic international.
Begovic, 28, has signed a four year contract and will take up the no. 1 jersey at the Premier League champions as first choice keeper Thibaut Courtois is no. 13.
Begovic said: a I am very happy to be joining Chelsea FC. After speaking at length to the manager, I feel like I can develop here and be an important part of this team. I am looking forward to meeting up with the team on Wednesday for the pre-season tour.’
.@ChelseaFC is delighted to announce the signing of Asmir Begovic from Stoke City… http://t.co/KkMOeBzIWk pic.twitter.com/g2bPjRn770
a Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2015
Begovic, who stands at a massive 6ft 6in, has spent the previous five-and-a-half years with Stoke City making 172 appearances and is also credited with scoring Premier Leaguea s longest-ever goal when he netted a clearance from inside his own penalty area against Southampton in November 2013.
Begovic was born in the former Yugoslavia and spent his childhood in Germany and Canada, representing the latter at the Under-20 World Cup before opting to play at senior level for Bosnia-Herzegovina.
He was their first-choice goalkeeper at their World Cup finals debut in Brazil last year, and has accumulated 41 caps so far for his national team.
Begovic also wrote a goodbye letter to the Stoke City fans following his move to Chelsea FC as seen below.
a Asmir Begovic (@asmir1) July 13, 2015