Franco Di Santo

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea have won the race to sign Argentine hot-shot Franco Di Santo.

The Blues have agreed a deal worth $7million (£3.4million) with his club - Chilean outfit Audax Italiano.

Di Santo started his career in the youth side of Godoy Cruz de Mendoza - but he then opted to switch to Chile and he has since flourished with Audax.

From 35 starts he has bagged 13 goals in less than two seasons, and has also shone for Argentina's youth sides after he opted to play for the country of his birth rather than Chile - who also wanted him.

Now Chelsea have beaten a host of clubs from around Europe - to seal a deal for Di Santo - who is free to move to England as he holds an Italian passport.

Indeed Chelsea are understood to have held off competition from nine rival Premier League clubs - including Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal - who all expressed an interest.

"Everything is nearly agreed, there are only a few details to be resolved but there will not be any problems," Audax president Valentin Cantergiani confirmed.

"We only have to agree the fee that Audax will receive if Di Santo is transferred again in the future and that's all. All the rest has been arranged.

"We are exchanging the last documents."

Cantergiani admitted that Chelsea have been very good to deal with.

"Chelsea has been more than a year following Franco and all the negotiations have been all the time very polite.

"They want to add him their squad when the transfer window opens in January. As Franco holds an Italian passport he can be at once part of their team."

Source: Sky Sports

[CFC-Lloydy 38]

Hmmmm Interesting

Like to see him in action sometime soon!

[EskWeston 696]

Well he is 18 so if he does come in the January transfer window then i see no problem having him in the first team already if he is as good as they say. And at over 6ft he is not exactly a small lad...

[CFC-Lloydy 38]

18!!! he looks about 12 in that pic haha!

[EskWeston 696]

18!!! he looks about 12 in that pic haha!

Lol, Mikel still looks like a very large child too......

[captainmarvel 1]

Excellent. South America is the first place we should start to bring the youngsters in. Well done

[.Cee 50]

Good news. Keep them coming!

[bombayblue™ 55]

un crack or watever they call it

Audax (di Santo's club) wear the green jerseys.

#9 is Franco di Santo who scores at 5:00 and sets up a goal at 7:28.

#10 is Carlos Villaneuva who shows a truly impressive volley at 2:48.

[manpe 10,861]

The bloke is huge ! Only Cech is taller from our current squad. He's 1.93m so if he has technique and height he can become something.

[True_Blue 469]

I can already see the headlines ''Another expensive youngester fails to adapt in Chelsea'' or ''That bad ass Chelsea destroys another young player''...C'mon Sun use your imagination.

[Elliott 7]

So wait, what position does he play?

[captainmarvel 1]

lol... i suppose striker.. considering his scoring record etc

[Wayne Cole 0]

I can already see the headlines ''Another expensive youngester fails to adapt in Chelsea'' or ''That bad ass Chelsea destroys another young player''...C'mon Sun use your imagination.

Thanks Brother,I agree

[Wayne Cole 0]

So wait, what position does he play?

I think the young lad is a striker Or winger..but let wait and see what he plays at Chelsea

[Elliott 7]

Well 13 goals from 35 starts is no big deal to me if he's a striker, not in the Chilean league especially. I guess there has to be more to him than that.

[bombayblue™ 55]

may be the scouts saw something we can't see in stats, like being good at holding the ball up and target man..

i just don't think he'll be an immediate drogba replacement and will be soon off to psv on loan..

Edited December 19, 2007 by bombayblue™

[Elliott 7]

may be the scouts saw something we can't see in stats, like being good at holding the ball up and target man..

i just don't think he'll be an immediate drogba replacement and will be soon off to psv on loan..

I think you may be right there.

[manpe 10,861]

Yeah he's a striker according to wikipedia.