Chelsea sign Joao Pedro as Blues beat THREE Premier League rivals to Brighton star

Chelsea have confirmed the £60m signing of Brazil striker Joao Pedro from Brighton.

Pedro, 23, has signed a seven year contract and will be able to play in Chelsea ’s Club World Cup quarter final with Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Friday.

The deal is £55m up front with £5m in add-ons and is a big coup for Chelsea who beat off strong competition from Newcastle who had a bid turned down while the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal both kept tabs on the player.

FIFA rules allow clubs to register new players between the Group and knock-out stages which meant Pedro flew out to the United States to complete his medical and sign the contract.

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Brazil international Pedro is another big statement for Chelsea who have already signed Liam Delap for £30 million, Dário Essugo for £18.5 million and Mamadou Sarr for £18m.

Brazil wonderkid Estevao Willian will join from Palmeiras - Friday’s opponents - after the Club World Cup. They also want Jamie Gittens and are close to a £50m-plus deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Pedro said: "Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history.

"They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing — win."

Pedro scored 30 goals in 70 appearances for Brighton, whose head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “This is a good move for all parties. It’s an excellent deal for the club, and a good return on a significant investment in an area of the pitch where we have a lot of competition and are already well served in terms of our attacking talent.

“It’s also an exciting move for Joao: it gives him the opportunity to play Champions League football this coming season, and he will of course be keen to cement his position in the Brazil team ahead of the World Cup next summer.

“Joao has given us some wonderful moments – during my time and before I came to the club – so on behalf of everyone I would like to thank him for his service over the past two seasons and wish him the best for the future.”

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