The ink isn’t dry on a contract yet, but it appears that Chelsea have won the Alexandre Pato sweepstakes and are poised to sign the Brazilian forward within a matter of hours, if not minutes.
Pato arrived at Heathrow Airport in London earlier today and told reporters, “Chelsea is my new home” and expressed gratitude to the club.
The 26-year-old star is coming off a stint with Cortinthians in Brazil, during which he also spent time on loan to Sao Paulo. He has scored 19 goals in the past two seasons with Sao Paulo.
Pato made his senior debut with Internacional in 2006, winning the FIFA Club World Cup in 2007 before transferring to AC Milan.
As a forward for Milan, Pato became a superstar, scoring 50 goals in his first four years. He was named the Golden Boy in 2009 and won the Serie A title two years later.
On the international level, Pato has been capped 27 times for Brazil, scoring 10 goals in the process. He won the Olympic Bronze Medal in 2008 and a Silver Medal in 2012.
SEE MORE:
Done deal: Chelsea star Ramires signs for Chinese club Jiangsu Suning
(Reaction) Chelsea fans fume at recent Robin van Persie link
Chelsea close in on signature of promising USA youth international: Deal done in 24 hours