Chelsea
have reached an agreement with Sevilla over the permanent transfer of Gael
Kakuta, the club have confirmed.
The French winger, who spent last season on loan in the Primera Division
with Rayo Vallecano, completed his move to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on
Friday after completing a medical and puts pen to paper on a four-year deal
with the back-to-back Europa League winners.
"I'm here because of what I did at Rayo," Kakuta said. “If Sevilla have
focused on me it's because of that.
"I can bring quality to this team. I really like Sevilla's sporting project
and the team plays very good football."
Kakuta was out of contract at Stamford Bridge this month but Chelsea have
reportedly received £2.5million in compensation from Sevilla due to the
player being under the age of 24.
“We thank Gael for his service and wish him well for the future,” a club
statement read.
Kakuta moved to Stamford Bridge from Lens in 2007 and enjoyed a fine first
season at the club, finishing as top scorer for the youth team and being
named Academy Scholar of the Year.
He made his first team debut in November 2009, coming on as a second-half
substitute in a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and featured 12
times during the 2010/11 campaign as Chelsea finished runners-up to
Manchester United.
Loan spells with Fulham and Bolton Wanderers followed, before the winger
moved to Europe, enjoying productive periods with Dijon and Vitesse Arnhem.
"He has a profile that we like," Sevilla sporting director Monchi said.
"Kakuta is versatile and during his time at Lens, Chelsea and in Holland, he
has played in different positions.
"He can score, he can shoot and he is capable of providing assists.
"If he is at the level that he was at Rayo, I believe (Sevilla coach Unai)
Emery can get the best out of him."
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