Pedro says he joined Chelsea to continue winning titles after completing a £21.2million deal from Barcelona today.
The Spanish international winger snubbed interest from Manchester United in favour of bolstering Jose Mourinho’s attacking options following Chelsea’s poor start to the campaign.
The 28-year-old has signed a four-year deal after slipping down the pecking order at Barcelona due to the presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
“I am very happy to be here,” he told Chelsea’s website.
“I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.
“Thanks, to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.”
Pedro, whose full name is Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma, has already begun training with his new teammates at Cobham and could go straight into Mourinho’s squad for Saturday’s game at West Brom.
Born on the island of Tenerife, he joined Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy in 2004 and excelled for Barcelona B before breaking into the first team in 2008 under Pep Guardiola.
During his time with the Spanish giants he won nearly every major trophy on the domestic and European stage, including three Champions League medals and five La Liga titles.
He has been a prominent member of the Spanish national team, amassing 51 caps, and started the final as they won the 2010 World Cup and was in the squad when Spain defeated Italy to win Euro 2012.
Though predominantly seen as a right winger, Pedro is two footed and can play on either flank or as a central striker.
He is the Blues’ second signing of the week, following the capture of Ghana defender Baba Rahman.
Feature image courtesy of Barcelona FC, via Youtube, with thanks
