Chelsea announced they have completed the signing of Midfielder, Ross Barkley from Everton on Friday.

The 24-year-old, who signed a five-and-a-half-year contract and will wear the number 8 shirt, is believed to have cost the Premier League champions £15million.

Upon signing for his new club, Barkley said: ‘I’m overwhelmed, I’m looking forward to it and I’m really excited to get started.

‘To be given a fresh start at a new club like Chelsea, it’s unbelievable for me. I’m looking forward to continuing where I left off at the end of last season and hoping to improve and add more goals to my game.’

In the tradition of the Chelsea, club Director – not Michael Emenalo – Marina Granovskaia added ‘Ross is a player we have long admired and are certain he will prove to be an important player for Chelsea.

‘He possesses outstanding technical and physical attributes, matched with good experience of the Premier League and a strong desire to succeed at the highest level. We welcome him to the club and look forward to seeing him in action.’