Makelele completes Chelsea move
Chelsea have completed the signing of France midfielder Claude Makelele from Real Madrid.
The deal for the 30-year-old was completed at 11.30pm last night, under 12 hours before the Champions League qualifying deadline.
Makelele has signed a four-year contract after moving for an undisclosed fee. After finalising the deal he immediately set off to join up with the France squad for their games against Cyprus and Slovenia.
Before going he told Chelsea TV of his former club: “Everybody is talking about Chelsea. Real Madrid is no different to anyone. There’s lots of interest, everybody is talking about the ambition of the London club, Chelsea.”
Chief executive Trevor Birch added that Makelele’s signing would be the big-spending club’s last before the transfer deadline later today.
He said: “That’s it. No more. We’ve finished!”
Makelele will take the number four shirt at Stamford Bridge.
