Chelsea signs Bosingwa

13.05.2008

PORTUGUESE sports daily, O Jogo reports that Chelsea has completed the signing of FC Porto right-back, José Bosingwa. Avram Grant was desperate to bring in a new right-sided defender as he was reportedly unhappy with the current options available at Stamford Bridge for this position.

O Jogo says the two clubs concurred on a £16m deal on Monday, suggesting that the deal will be formally announced later. Even as Bosingwa was being widely tipped for a move to Manchester United, Chelsea was working behind the scenes in its attempt to lure the 25-year-old into its ranks, and quickly gathered the fee Porto was requesting - something United was not keen on.

What is more, the Blues managed to prevent their domestic rivals from knowing about their approach, making sure the Red Devils did not have time to burst into action.

The Portuguese international is expected to face stiff competition for a place in the starting XI from compatriot, Paulo Ferreira and Brazilian Juliano Belletti, although one of them is reported will leave the club in the summer.

Bosingwa joined Porto from Boavista in 2003 and has cemented his position as Jesualdo Ferreira’s first choice in the right side of the defence since Ferreira departed for the London-based club.