Branislav Ivanovic Signs

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

I wouldn't say that £8/9m for a quality defender is too much really! I know most of the papers today have rounded up to a nice even £10m but it was reported as £8.9m. When you think his reputation and young age i think that is a pretty good deal.

Was looked at by pretty much all the top clubs aparently which is a good idea of how he is viewed.

Well its seen as a lot as hes relatively untested. Only 10 appearances for Serbia because they have such quality defenders. If he hadn't been under contract till 2011 -would have been around £5 million.

Still, hes definitely one for the future and a four year contract at £50 000 a week is good business.

[EskWeston 696]

Well its seen as a lot as hes relatively untested. Only 10 appearances for Serbia because they have such quality defenders. If he hadn't been under contract till 2011 -would have been around £5 million.

Still, hes definitely one for the future and a four year contract at £50 000 a week is good business.

It is very good business, and the fact he is still relatively young will not have made it easier to break into their national team. Although he was very successful i think at U21 level....

Will be good to see him in action and finally see what he is all about.

[Gianfranco_Z 202]

Very happy about this!

Hope he plays against wigan away in the FA cup...

[KENT_BLUE 1]

lets see him in action i doubt his as good as jt.

kent_blue

[Steve 10,227]

when dou guys think he will get a game?

maybe first game this weekend if medical goes through?

[EskWeston 696]

when dou guys think he will get a game?

maybe first game this weekend if medical goes through?

Definately won't play this weekend as there is no "need" to play him like there was with Anelka, will give him more time to train with the team and maybe make an appearance against Wigan in the FA Cup

[EskWeston 696]

Chelsea Football Club today (Wednesday) completed the transfer of defender Branislav Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow. He signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

Ivanovic, 23, becomes Avram Grant's second January signing following the arrival of Nicolas Anelka.

The Serbian international is a versatile addition to the squad. He can play right back, centre back or defensive midfield.

Having begun his career in his native Serbia at local club Sremska Mitrovica, he soon moved to the Serbian capital Belgrade to play for OFK Beograd where he remained for three seasons, signing for Lokomotiv in the summer of 2006. He appeared for the Russian side in this season's Uefa Cup.

A star of Serbia's Under 21s in both the 2006 and 2007 European Championships, Ivanovic was voted into last summer's Uefa Team of the Tournament, and has successfully graduated into a regular for the full national side.

He made his Serbia and Montenegro debut in June 2006, and is now a regular in the Serbian line-up alongside Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic. He has nine caps and has scored once.

'It is the dream of every footballer to want to move on and improve yourself - and the ultimate is to play for such a big team as this,' Ivanovic said after completing his Chelsea move at Stamford Bridge today.

Chelsea TV will be carrying the first interview with the club's new defender in Blues News at 6.30pm, repeated at 10pm.

To subscribe to Chelsea TV on Sky Digital channel 421 call 08700 240 490. Existing Sky customers can subscribe through the Sky Products area on Sky Active via their Sky remote control.

Source: Chelsea FC

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He wears the number two shirt, according to the website. He can play as an anchor midfielder which is great. I hope this means on occassions we may get to see Mikel and Essien played further afield.

[EskWeston 696]

He wears the number two shirt, according to the website. He can play as an anchor midfielder which is great. I hope this means on occassions we may get to see Mikel and Essien played further afield.

Yup it's certainly possible, although i would have though that would be rare considering his primary positon is defence and we have 3 players capable of playing the defensive midfield role already.