Chelsea
have completed the signing of Leicester centre-back Wesley Fofana in a deal
worth up to £75m.
Chelsea will pay an initial £70m, with a further £5m possible in add-ons,
and Fofana has signed a seven-year contract with the club.
Leicester and Chelsea agreed a fee for Fofana on Saturday, with the defender
flying to the USA on Monday for his medical.
Fofana said: "The two last days have been really big days for me and I'm
very happy. I trained this morning with the team and it's a dream for me.
I'm very excited to start playing games for the fans and the club.
"I'm here to win trophies - the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup,
Carabao Cup, everything. I came here to win and the club is built to win
trophies so I'm here to continue that."
Fofana later released a statement on his Instagram thanking Leicester fans
for their "kindness and your constant support, even in the moments you were
led to believe I didn't respect the club". Fofana also appeared to criticise
Leicester and manager Brendan Rodgers for their handling of the long-running
transfer saga.
Fofana added: "I chose not to communicate during this transfer window
despite all the criticism and all the often false and misleading comments,
even when they were coming from the club.
"I understood and I learned. I didn't want to damage the image of the
institution and I chose to take it rather than answer. I thank Top for his
understanding, thanks to the managers, to the coach who has always
appreciated me, even if he chose to expose me a lot lately... I got it
coach."
Leicester declined to comment on Fofana's post when approached by Sky Sports
News.
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly added: "Wesley is a hugely promising defender
who has already proven his quality in the Premier League at a young age. We
are delighted we were able to bring one of Europe's most exciting talents to
Chelsea and further strengthen that area of our squad, both for this season
and many more to come."
Chelsea had made three previous bids for Fofana which were all swiftly
rejected by Leicester - two in excess of £60m and one believed to be £60m
plus £10m in add-ons.
Rodgers confirmed the player had been training with Leicester's U23 team
after failing to turn up to a training session last week, with the Frenchman
trying to force a move to Stamford Bridge.
After Chelsea beat Leicester 2-1 on Saturday, Rodgers revealed his
intentions to get a quick resolution in the Fofana transfer saga.
"I think it's the same with any player," he said. "If they decide they want
to move and they see their future elsewhere, it's always better to have it
done as quick as you possibly can.
"You have to prepare a team and you have to replace that player. It's only
normal - every coach will tell you the same. I don't think it benefits
anyone if it drags on."
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