Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Nemanja Matic from Benfica.
.
In a statement to the Portuguese Stock Exchange, Benfica confirmed that the deal is worth €25 million. Chelsea confirmed that Matic has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2019.
.
The 25-year-old told Chelsea’s official website: “I am very happy for this opportunity to be back at this club. I feel very good because of that and just want to say I will give my best to help the team and make the Chelsea fans happy.”
.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho added: “I am very pleased that Nemanja is returning to Chelsea. He has grown as a player in Portugal and has become a fantastic all-round midfielder. I am sure he will become a very important member of the squad and help us to achieve our ambitions.”
.
Matic will wear the number 21 shirt, previously worn by Marko Marin, who is currently on loan with Sevilla.
.
The move marks the Serbian international’s second spell at Chelsea; he signed for the Blues back in 2009 in a deal believed to worth around €2 million, before he joined Benfica as part of the deal which saw defender David Luiz head to west London in 2011.
.
He made 56 league appearances for the Portuguese giants, and was a finalist for the FIFA Puskas goal of the year award, but missed out to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s wonderstrike against England.
.
Matic made his final appearance for Benfica at the weekend, helping his former side secure a 2-0 win over fierce rivals Porto.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate