Chelsea have confirmed the signing of defender Papy Djilobodji from Nantes. The Ligue 1 club announced his departure for Stamford Bridge earlier on Tuesday’s transfer deadline day, and the Premier League champions later confirmed the 26-year-old Senegal international defender’s arrival on a four-year contract.
Djilobodji said on chelseafc.com: “I’m very happy to sign for a big club like Chelsea and I want to do my best to help the team win titles. I want to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.”
SEE MORE: Up-to-the-minute transfer deadline deals.
Chelsea made their move for the 26-year-old after seeing their overtures for Everton’s John Stones repeatedly rebuffed.
The Blues have conceded nine goals in four games in accruing four points to sit eight adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Djilobodji had one year remaining on his Nantes contract, and his switch to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea was unexpected.
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Reports in the French media on Monday said a fee of around three million euro (£2.2 million) was agreed to for Djilobodji. It is less than 10 percent of the sum offered for Stones.
It has been reported other Premier League clubs rejected the opportunity to sign him, but now he is playing for the defending champions and in the Champions League.
