Zhirkov completes Chelsea move
Chelsea have completed the signing of Russian international Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow for a reported £18m fee. The 25-year-old completed his medical in London on Monday and has agreed a four-year deal, believed to be worth £80,000-a-week. Zhirkov, who was hugely impressive at Euro 2008, can play on the left wing or at left-back and was given a ringing endorsement by temporary Blues boss Guus Hiddink, who has since returned to his job as coach of the Russian national team. New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotticonfirmed the Zhirkov deal was complete during his inaugural press conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday morning and said he was looking forward to exploiting the Russian's versatility.
"Zhirkov is naturally on the left, Ancelotti said. "I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between.''
During his time with CSKA Moscow, Zhirkov helped the Russian Premier League club win the UEFA Cup and has been dubbed the "Russian Ronaldinho".
The former Spartak Tambov player is Chelsea's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and striker Daniel Sturridge
Ancelotti would not be drawn on any other transfer targets linked with Chelsea and also refused to confirm if Deco and Ricardo Carvalho would be leaving west London.
"Carvalho and Deco are Chelsea players," the Italian said. "If in the future a player wants to go they have to speak with the club and we take the right decision for the player and for us.''
On players rumoured to be coming into the club Ancelotti said: "I don't want to speak the names of the players. The club control the market, (Alexandre) Pato and (Andrea) Pirlo are Milan players."
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