Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez after the reigning Premier League champions beat Manchester United to his £21million signature.
Welcome to Chelsea, @_Pedro17_! #CFC pic.twitter.com/UGc6yYBQsx
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2015
The Spaniard has opted to end his glittering 11-year career with the La Liga BBVA giants after falling behind Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the pecking order at the Camp Nou, and was understandably unprepared to spend another season warming the substitutes’ bench.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Pedro voiced his happiness at sealing a move to Stamford Bridge:
‘I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.
‘Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.’
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Jose Mourinho phone call crucial in Pedro’s decision to reject Man Utd in favour of Chelsea transfer
Manchester United goalkeeper and Cesc Fabregas urged Pedro to snub Old Trafford for £21m Chelsea transfer
Manchester United had been heavily linked with Pedro throughout the summer window, with reports claiming that Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice-chairman, had travelled to Catalunya on Monday to finalise a deal for the winger.
Rather surprisingly, however, no deal with the Red Devils ever materialised, allowing Chelsea to pounce.
According to reports, conversations with Jose Mourinho and Cesc Fabregas, along with United goalkeeper Victor Valdes, were crucial in convincing Pedro that a move to the English capital would be the best option for his career.