Tiémoué Bakayoko: ‘I have grown up watching Chelsea.’ Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Guardian sport
Saturday 15 July 2017 16.52 BST Last modified on Saturday 15 July 2017 17.34 BST
Chelsea have signed the midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko on a five-year contract from Monaco in a deal worth up to €45m (£39.7m) after he formally completed his transfer to the Premier League champions on Saturday.
The 22-year-old France international underwent a medical at the club on Friday, when he also met many of his new team-mates, as well as coaching staff. “I am very happy to be here and to join this great team,” Bakayoko said.
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“I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach and alongside so many great team-mates.”
Bakayoko’s impressive performances earned him a first call-up to the senior France squad in March, when he partnered N’Golo Kanté in the midfield during a friendly defeat by Spain.
Bakayoko, who will wear the No14 shirt at Chelsea, is, though, thought to be at least six weeks away from being in first-team contention. He had keyhole surgery to clean out one of his knees at the end of the French domestic season.
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Antonio Conte pictured speaking to his new signing at Chelsea’s Cobham training base on Friday. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The Paris-born midfielder, who graduated through the Rennes academy, was a key figure for Monaco as they won the Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals. He scored the goal which condemned Manchester City to defeat in the last 16 of that competition.
“Tiémoué was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe’s best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea,” the Chelsea technical director, Michael Emenalo, said. “Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed in the latter stages of the Champions League, we believe he will add considerable quality to our squad.”
He is Antonio Conte’s second major signing this summer, following the arrival of the defender, Antonio Rüdiger. Chelsea have also added the goalkeeper, Willy Caballero, as well as youngster Ethan Ampadu to their ranks.
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