Share

Chelsea sign Filipe Luis

London - Chelsea have reached a deal to sign Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid subject to the defender agreeing personal terms with the Premier League club.

Luis impressed as Atletico won the Spanish title and reached the Champions League final last season and the Brazilian left-back is likely to fill the void left by Ashley Cole's move to Roma.

A statement published on Chelsea's official website read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Filipe Luis."

The 28-year-old is poised to become Chelsea's second signing from Atletico in the last 24 hours after Spain striker Diego Costa completed his move to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Luis is reported to have cost £20 million after Chelsea agreed to pay the buy-out clause in his contract.

A statement on Atletico's website added: "Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement to transfer the rights of Filipe Luis, pending a medical with the English club.

"The Brazilian player had told our club at the end of the campaign his willingness to join the London side."

Blues boss Jose Mourinho got a close look at Luis when Atletico knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League semi-finals last season.

His dynamic displays convinced Mourinho he was the ideal candidate to solve the left-back dilemma which has troubled him since Cole fell out of favour last season.

With Mourinho believing Cole was no longer playing well enough to start on a regular basis, he was forced to use Cesar Azpilicueta, a right-back by trade, out of position at left-back.

But with Chelsea finishing last season without a trophy, Mourinho is determined to avoid a repeat of that make-shift situation and he moved quickly to tie up a deal for the Brazilian.

Luis joined Atletico from Deportivo La Coruna in 2010 and has made 98 appearances in all competitions for the Madrid side, winning the Europa League in 2012 and the Copa del Rey in 2013 before last season's title triumph.

He has four Brazil caps and was placed on Luiz Felipe Scolari's standby list for the 2014 World Cup.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1799 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1757 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1063 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 449 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 184 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
4% - 247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE