France international and Arsenal forward, Olivier Giroud has joined rivals, Chelsea FC, the club has confirmed.
Chelsea Football Club has today completed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal.
Full story ? https://t.co/XDqSwzsZmO#GiroudIsBlue pic.twitter.com/5d1sRuBNrB
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
Giroud has signed an 18-month contract, and will wear number 18 at Stamford Bridge.
“Chelsea FC has today completed the signing of striker Olivier Giroud from Arsenal,” the club said in a statement on their official website.
Speaking on the transfer, club director, Marina Granovskaia, said the club’s happy to sign a proven goalscorer in the PL in Giroud.
“Olivier is a proven talent at the top level and we are very pleased to call him a Chelsea FC player,” she said.
The 31-year-old scored over a century of goals in his five-and-a-half year stay at the Emirates, including 16goals in 17 starts in all competitions last seasons for the Gunners.
“Chelsea FC is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League. They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years,” Giroud said. “It’s a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea FC, and I’m looking forward to playing.”
He becomes the second signing of the January transfer window by the Blues, following the arrival for fullback, Emerson, from Serie A side, AS Roma.
The former Montpellier striker joins compatriots N’Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko in the Chelsea FC squad, and is eligible to play in all three competitions for the Blues.
In a related development, German side, Borussia Dortmund, have signed Michy Batshuayi on loan from English champions, Chelsea FC.
? BVB leiht Michy #Batshuayi bis Saisonende vom @ChelseaFC aus!
Alle Infos: https://t.co/WUplWHl5b4 pic.twitter.com/za5nQaT2dT
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 31, 2018
Batshuayi joins the Black and Yellows until the end of season, and replaces Gabon International, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who today joined another PL side, and Chelsea FC’s City rivals, Arsenal.
In his 18 months at Chelsea, the ex-Marseille youngster made 53 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals, including a close-range finish against West Bromwich Albion eight minutes from time that helped secure the Blues the victory that ensured they were crowned Premier League champions last season.
He continues his development at Borussia Dortmund, who are currently sixth in the Bundesliga, three points off second spot, and are also in the last 32 of the Europa League.
