Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko completed on Wednesday a move to Premiership champions Chelsea from Italian giants AC Milan. The 29-year-old player penned a four-year contract with the London-based club for an undisclosed fee. But the club did state the deal broke the previous club record of 25.98 million pounds ($48.81 million) paid to Lyon for Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien last summer. Reports claim Chelsea splashed 36 million euros to land the former European Footballer of the Year. "I am going from one big club to another and joining a team of champions," told Chelsea's official website. "I am here for the challenge and the excitement of playing in the Premier League," the prolific striker added.
Sheva, who will lead Ukraine in their FIFA World Cup debut in Germany this summer, talked about his ambitions with the Blues. "The Champions League has to be a realistic target for next season but it is not just about the Champions League. "Chelsea are going for their third Premiership as well and I like the club's mentality of wanting to win every game they play," he said. Milan paid tribute to their departing striker in an official statement. "Milan thank Shevchenko, an extraordinary man and striker, for the great amount of excitement he provided in the seven seasons in which he wore the red and black shirt. "His 173 goals, making him the second top scorer in the club's history, have contributed in a vital manner to the winning of an Italian league title, an Italian Cup, Super Cup, a Champions League and a European Supercup." Sheva is Chelsea's third big signing this summer after Germany captain Michael Ballack and Feyenoord forward Salomon Kalou of Ivory Coast.
