CHELSEA SIGN £16M BOSINGWA
Chelsea have made their first big-money signing of the summer with the £16.2m capture of right back Jose Bosingwa
After losing out on the Premier League title race, Chelsea have reportedly beaten Manchester United to the signing of the Portuguese defender who has signed a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge from Portuguese champions FC Porto.
The 25-year-old, who has been named in Portugal's Euro 2008 squad, was initially brought to Porto by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
"I played for a big team in Porto and now I'm going to a bigger team. My aim is to win titles," he said.
Speaking to Chelsea TV, Bosingwa added: "I have friends who are at Chelsea and it's a club I feel I can improve at and grow as a player.
"I've always had a dream to play in England - I always watched the Premier League as a child, I love the English game and now I'm here I'm going to work to do my best."
The full-back, who can also play in midfield, helped Porto to the 2004 Champions League title as well as four league championships since signing in 2003 from Boavista, where he made 40 appearances.
Although Bosingwa, who was originally born in Democratic Republic of Congo, took time to make an impact in his first season, he has since established himself as the first choice right back for both Porto and the national side.
His performances have earned him seven caps for Portugal and he is expected to be named in their Euro 2008 squad this week.
He becomes the second Portuguese right back at Chelsea, with Paulo Ferreira also at the club although his arrival will cast doubt over the future of Brazilian Juliano Belletti, who has seemingly fallen out of favour with Avram Grant in recent weeks.
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