Chelsea signs Asier del Horno

Tuesday, Jun 21, 2005

Chelsea on Tuesday night completed the signing of Spanish international defender Asier del Horno for a fee of 12 million euros (approximately £8 million).

Del Horno joins Chelsea from Athletic Club Bilbao on a 3-year deal from 1st July 2005.

Chelsea manager and first team coach José Mourinho said: "Asier is an outstanding international player who will add quality to the squad in a position we needed to strengthen. I’m sure he will be a key player as Chelsea continues with its goal to achieve greater success both in England and in the Champions League."

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon added: “José identified his target to fill the left-back position and we’re delighted that Asier has chosen to come to Chelsea. The arrival of Asier signifies Chelsea’s desire to strengthen the squad in key positions following a hugely successful season and we all look forward to seeing Asier in the blue of Chelsea in July.”

The 24 year-old, who recently helped Spain remain in top spot in their World Cup qualifying group after matches against Lithuania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, has seven senior international caps in total and represented Spain at youth level from the age of 17. Del Horno had been at Athletic Bilbao since the age of 11.

He signed the deal at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening and will be formally introduced when he joins up with the Chelsea squad when pre-season training begins from July 6th

Del Horno On His Way To Chelsea - Agent

6/11/2005 12:47:00 PM

The agent of Athletic Bilbao left-back Asier Del Horno says his client will soon complete a move to Chelsea. The deal had been on the cards for several weeks, but speculation linking Chelsea with Kakha Kaladze had thrown the switch into doubt. But the player’s agent Jokin Barcena told Marca: "Asier’s transfer will be done without a shred of a doubt. "The English club have told me that there’s no danger that it will not be done." And on the delay, he added: "This has nothing to do with the possible signing of another left-back player. "Chelsea have always been clear that they want him and it could be that they could sign more than one left-back because the one they currently have, Gallas, is not in Mourinho’s plans for next season and they want to let him go."