Chelsea announce Asmir Begovic Capture

       Chelsea have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Premier League rivals Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.

The 28 year old signed a four year deal with the Stamford Bridge club. Begovic have been linked with a move to the premier league champions since the start of the transfer window, and links only became stronger after Petr Čech's move to rivals Arsenal.

Last week Stoke signed Shay Given as Begovic's replacement, and also confirmed the loan signing of Chelsea youth midfielder Marco van Ginkel.

The Bosnian to his new club's website, saying: "I am very happy to be joining Chelsea FC. After speaking at length to the manager, I feel like I can develop here and be an important part of this team.
"I am looking forward to meeting up with the team on Wednesday for the pre-season tour," he added. 

Meanwhile, Stoke also announced the goalkeeper's departure via the club's twitter account. The club also thanked him for his time with the potters.

BREAKING | Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has today completed a move to Premier League Champions @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/nmJzWiyEOq

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) July 13, 2015

After spending five years and 172 appearances with Stoke, Begovic thanked the club and the fans with a message he posted on facebook. He said:

"I am very happy to be joining Chelsea FC. After speaking at length to the manager, I feel like I can develop here & be an important part of this team. I am looking forward to meeting up with the team on Wednesday for the pre-season tour. 

Also, I would like to say thank you to everyone at Stoke Football club, the chairman and Coates family, Mark Hughes and Tony Pulis, I want to thank goalkeeper coach Andy Quy, all my team mates and especially the fans who have made me and my family so welcome. 

I have loved my time at Stoke, but feel I had to take this opportunity for me to continue to develop and challenge myself as a player. I am very proud of what we have achieved here at Stoke, and it has been a great team of players to work with. I wish you all the best for the season ahead!"

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