Chelsea wrap up Makelele transfer
Monday, 1 September 2003 10:34Chelsea have finally completed the signing of France midfielder Claude Makelele from Real Madrid, hours before the transfer window closes. The French international has been linked with Chelsea for several weeks and although it was believed that that the player's transfer fee could scupper the deal, Makelele has put pen to paper for the Blues.
Makelele has signed a four-year contract after moving for a fee reported to be in the region of £16million and Chief executive Trevor Birch added that Makelele's signing would be the big-spending club's last before the transfer deadline later today. "That's it. No more. We've finished!" he said.
The French international said was delighted with the move and said: "Before going he told Chelsea TV of his former club: Everybody is talking about Chelsea. Real Madrid is no different to anyone. There's lots of interest, everybody is talking about the ambition of the London club, Chelsea."
The 30 -year-old midfielder went on strike at Real Madrid last month in protest at the Spanish Giant's refusal to increase his salary which he claimed was a fifth of what the likes of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham earn. However, he is expected to triple his wages at Chelsea who have spent more than £100million on new players in a frenzied summer spending-spree.
Filed by Rob Wright
