Chelsea have completed the £12 million signing of Raul Meireles from Liverpool, with the midfielder signing a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The Portugal international impressed in his first season in England after moving to Anfield from Porto last summer, but is thought to have slipped down Kenny Dalglish’s pecking order following the summer accquisitions of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam.
The 28-year-old worked alongside Stamford Bridge manager Andre Villas-Boas briefly during his time at Porto, and it is widely believed that the coach pushed Roman Abramovich to sign his countryman.
Meanwhile, Joe Cole has, as expected, completed a loan move to French side Lille, and has revealed that the chance to play in the Champions League was too good to turn away.
“I am glad the move has been completed and I am looking forward to a different challenge. Lille are a club with great pedigree and it’s really exciting to have an opportunity to play in the Champions League again,” the England international is reported to have said in The Telegraph.
“If you add all the minutes together, I played maybe six games at Liverpool, which is not enough. All I need is playing time to find my best.
“I had offers in England but I always wanted to play abroad. The way the guys here play reminds me a little of Barcelona. They pass the ball quickly and well,” he concluded.
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