Chelsea have completed the signing of Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado from Italian side Fiorentina for a fee of £26.8million.
Cuadrado moves to Stamford Bridge after three years in Florence where he scored 20 times in 85 appearances.
The 26-year-old, capped 37 times by Colombia, posted a message on social media thanking Fiorentina supporters for their support during his time at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Thank you God, thank’s Chelsea! pic.twitter.com/MjgsEoBceq
— Juan Cuadrado 74 (@Cuadrado) February 2, 2015
He said: “The people are extraordinary. The fans full of passion. Now a new journey awaits me. New emotions. New objective. But always with Florence in my heart.”
The Colombian is known for direct wing play and spectacular goals, whilst he finished as joint-top of the 2014 World Cup’s assist chart with Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos.
Cuadrado offers Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho another attacking option, but Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle appear to be on their way out of Stamford Bridge.
Hello from “The Bridge” pic.twitter.com/h1VZfvAGXs
— Juan Cuadrado 74 (@Cuadrado) January 31, 2015
Salah is nearing a loan move in the opposite direction to Cuadrado to join Fiorentina, whilst Schurrle has agreed personal terms on a permanent move to Wolfsburg, according to the BBC.
Fiorentina manager Vincent Montella spoke on swapping Cuadrado for Salah, telling a press conference on Friday: “The club has done the right thing because we are also getting a very good player.”
Image courtesy of Chelsea Football Club via YouTube, with thanks
