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Chelsea announced the signing of Papy Djilobodji from Nantes on a four-year contract, the club’s official website confirmed. The reigning English Champions, as reported by ESPN, paid £2.7 million for the Senegal defender who’s in the final year of his contract at Ligue 1 club. The French blub just earned promotion to the top flight this season with the Senegalese defender regularly featured for them either in midfield or at the back.
Djilobodji, who’s now 26 years old, is a versatile player who can play at centre-back and defensive midfield role. The signing of the Senegal defender was due to Chelsea’s failure to land their top defensive target John Stones, who was linked with the club all summer. Djilobodji scored highly on the Blues’ scouting reports and was the best fit for the vacancy among the centre backs at Stamford Bridge.
“'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.” said Djilobodji on club’s official website.
Everton refused to sell their England international defender despite receiving four bids from the English Champions this summer. The alternatives to John Stones included names like Ezequiel Garay from Zenit St Petersburg and Aymen Abdennour who has recently joined Valencia for a reported fee of £22 million from AS Monaco.
Chelsea have already conceded nine goals in their first four matches and Mourinho has moved to address the defensive concerns. Chelsea are now eight points behind the league leaders Manchester City. The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool also have the upper hand over the defending champions owing to their poor start.
Djilobodji moved to Europe in 2009 and signed for Senart-Moissy. At the age of 21 Djilobodji moved to Ligue 2 side Nantes and has played a key figure at the club since his arrival. The 6ft 4inch Senegalese defender will be looking to provide competition for Gary Cahill, Kurt Zouma and captain John Terry.
Chelsea made a surprise swoop for Papy Djilobodji, a low-risk acquisition as they were unwilling to make major investment in another defender this summer. Despite the disappointment on the signing of John Stones, Chelsea could still sign the Evertonian defender in a future transfer window.
