AC Milan completes transfer of Shevchenko to Chelsea

| Fri, 06/02/2006 - 08:14

Serie A heavyweight AC Milan has completed the transfer of its Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko to Premier League champions Chelsea for a reported 50 million euros, a new record for a British club.

In a statement posted on the Italian club's website, Milan thanked Shevchenko for "the many emotions he has given us in seven years" and defined the Ukranian as "an extraordinary striker and man".

With 173 goals, Shevchenko became Milan's second-highest scorers of all time and helped the team win a first division title, an Italian Cup, a Champions League title and a European Super Cup.

In London, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was quoted as saying "today a dream has come true, Andriy has always been my first choice since I arrived here". The Portuguese coach added that he now wanted Real Madrid's Roberto Carlos.

According to press reports, Shevchenko signed a four-year contract with Chelsea for a total of 36 million euros, nine million euros a year.