Chelsea and Real Madrid do another transfer deal
Chelsea and Real Madrid have done more business – but it’s not Eden Hazard.
Croatia international Mateo Kovacic has joined on a season-long loan from Real Madrid as Thibaut Courtois moved to the Bernabéu.
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New manager Maurizio Sarri has been keen to add another midfielder and the club are still said to want to add more faces before the window closes.
All confirmed! 📝@Mateo_Kova23 is a Blue for the season ahead! #WelcomeKovacichttps://t.co/Nqxf6cxxuN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 9, 2018
The 24-year-old former Dinamo Zagreb and Inter Milan midfielder can’t wait to get going in the Premier League.
“I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea,” he said after signing on a Stamford Bridge.
“It is an amazing feeling. I will try to do my best for this club.
Mateo Kovacic to Chelsea is exactly what he needs to reignite his domestic career. He has brilliant vision, aggressive on the defensive end, excellent touch and dribbling ability. He will thrive under Maurizio Sarri’s diabolically offensive approach
— Matteo Bonetti (@TheCalcioGuy) August 9, 2018
“It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team-mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season.”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are very happy to welcome Mateo to the Chelsea family.
“He is a perfect fit for us this season, his style is well suited to how Maurizio (Sarri, the head coach) wants to play and we are sure he will prove to be a valuable asset for the club.”