
Chelsea
have made their second acquisition from Atletico Madrid this summer after
completing the signing of Brazil international left-back Filipe Luis on a
three-year contract.
The 28-year-old becomes Jose Mourinho’s fourth capture of the summer
transfer window after Chelsea clinched the signings of Cesc Fabregas from
Barcelona, Mario Pasalic from Hajduk Split and Luis’ former team-mate Diego
Costa.
A fee understood to be in the region of £15m was agreed between the two
clubs earlier this week and the deal has now been rubber-stamped after all
the formalities were completed.
Luis told the club’s official website: “This move is a dream come true for
me. I now have the opportunity to play for Chelsea and also in the Premier
League.
“I am looking forward to getting started and giving my best for the team
during the coming season.”
Luis will give Mourinho extra options at left-back following the departure
of the experienced Ashley Cole, who was allowed to leave when his contract
expired at the end of last season and has now signed for Roma.
Cesar Azpilicueta was preferred to Cole at left-back for much of last season
but is a right-back by trade and Luis' arrival may allow him to switch back
to his favoured side.
Luis was a key player for Atletico during their incredible 2013/14 campaign,
when they won the La Liga title for the first time since 1996 and lost to
local rivals Real in the Champions League final.
The former Deportivo man made 44 appearances over the course of the campaign
and many experts felt he should have been selected for the Brazil World Cup
squad but he was only named as a stand-by.