Official: David Luiz Signs

[RX8 40]

http://www.chelseafc...2281533,00.html

DAVID LUIZ SIGNS

Posted on: Mon 31 Jan 2011 Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of defender David Luiz from Benfica for an undisclosed fee.

Luiz, who has signed a five-and-a-half year contract, joins Chelsea as the third Brazilian in the current squad, linking up with former Benfica team-mate Ramires and fellow central-defender Alex.

He said: 'I am delighted to be joining a big English club, and I know very well the quality that Chelsea has.

'It is a major challenge for me but I am determined and confident in my ability to adapt to this excellent league, and I look forward to meeting my new-team mates.'

Now 23, David Luiz Moreira Marinho was born on April 22, 1987 in Sao Paulo and began his career with Esporte Clube Vitoria in Bahia where he made 47 appearances.

The 6ft 2in defender, who is renowned for his skill on the ball as much as his defensive ability, switched to Benfica, initially on loan in January 2007 before making the move permanent that summer.

In total he made 82 league appearances for the Lisbon club missing just one game last season as they wrapped up a first league title in five years. Uefa.com voted Luiz the league's Player of the Year.

Luiz, who made his Brazil debut against America last year, will not be eligible for Champions League football this season after completing all six of Benfica's group games. They finished third behind Schalke and Lyon.

He also represented his country at the 2007 Under 20 World Cup, and can cover at either left or right-back.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: 'David Luiz is one of the great defensive prospects in world football, and already a Brazilian international. I am sure he will prove a valuable addition to the Chelsea squad.'

Chairman Bruce Buck added: 'It is a delight to have completed this transfer for a fantastic young footballer who we have admired for some time. David has played in the Champions League and the squad now has a more experienced look to it that will hopefully serve us well for the rest of this season and going forward.'

The deal will also take midfielder Nemanja Matic to Benfica in the summer, though the Serbian will remain a Chelsea player until his loan deal with Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem is completed at the end of the season.

[YankinBlue42 72]

The one signing I really wanted us to make.

Bem-vindo Davi!

[chrismada9 1,948]

Top Signing! Can't wait to see this lad play! Our defensive problem is offically dealt with!

[Henrique 9,133]

He might use 23 shirt, that he use in Benfica.

[Term-X 7,891]

He might use 23 shirt, that he use in Benfica.

Sturridge is number 23.

[gary gordon 1,777]

This is just nuts!

My line up:

Luiz-------------------Ivanovic-----Terry-------------------------Cole

-------------------------------Ramires----------------------------

-----------------Essien--------------------Lampard-------------

-----Drogba----------------------------------------------Malouda-------

---------------------------------Torres--------------------------------------

[chrismada9 1,948]

He might use 23 shirt, that he use in Benfica.

Actually, yeah... Cudicini's old number could be a decent shout!

But does he go with his Brazil or Benfica number?? Tough decision! We haven't seen a number 4 at Chelsea since Maka!

[YankinBlue42 72]

This is just nuts!

My line up:

Luiz-------------------Ivanovic-----Terry-------------------------Cole

-------------------------------Ramires----------------------------

-----------------Essien--------------------Lampard-------------

-----Drogba----------------------------------------------Malouda-------

---------------------------------Torres--------------------------------------

what an embarrassment of riches.

[RX8 40]

This is the one for me

..............CECH

Ivanovic/Bosingwa......Alex/David.....Terry/David.....A.Cole/Yuri????

.........................Mikel/Essien

.................Essien/Ramires........Ramires/Malouda

..........................Lampard/Yoshi???

.....................Drogba/Kalou.......Torres/Anelka

ANd if we need more Fire Power... 4-3-3 With Drogba, Torres and Malouda/Anelka

[Cloudy 6]

Welcome David to Chelsea!

@pachman40 and Henrique. The previous thread is locked so I didn't get a chance to reply although it's a bit moot now that we've signed him.

The link is here (The Independent) and the text is "Benfica are demanding a further £4m to cover development fees to Luiz's former club Victoria da Bahia and commissions to the agents involved". Looks like they dropped those demands.

[chrismada9 1,948]

This is just nuts!

My line up:

Luiz-------------------Ivanovic-----Terry-------------------------Cole

-------------------------------Ramires----------------------------

-----------------Essien--------------------Lampard-------------

-----Drogba----------------------------------------------Malouda-------

---------------------------------Torres--------------------------------------

Drogba playing on the wing.... can he even play there??

[Madmax 9,219]

Welcome David

Now go get a haircut son

[gary gordon 1,777]

Drogba playing on the wing.... can he even play there??

Just from a positional view. I would imagine him playing more central and having David Luiz coming forward as a winger like Ash..

[Swoopz 183]

This is just nuts!

My line up:

Luiz-------------------Ivanovic-----Terry-------------------------Cole

-------------------------------Ramires----------------------------

-----------------Essien--------------------Lampard-------------

-----Drogba----------------------------------------------Malouda-------

---------------------------------Torres--------------------------------------

what the fuck is that? half the squad is out of position.

[Rambo 1,729]

Cech

Ivanovic Luiz JT Ash

Ramires Lampard Essien Malouda

Torres Drogba

Not sure if it'll work tbh.

[Madmax 9,219]

Guys let's keep the formation discussion in the tactics thread.

[David23Luiz 9]

Hello mates. First time posting here. I'll just say I'm a huge Benfiquista (Benfica fan) and I'm absolutely gutted to see David Luiz leave my club. I knew David Luiz's days at Benfica were numbered, but I would've preferred him to leave in the summer. Oh well at least Benfica got some nice cash for him. Anyways for those who don't know much about David Luiz here's a run down from a fan who's been watching him play the last four years... David Luiz is by no means overrated. I mean he won the best player in the Portuguese League last season, captained our side in a few games even though his still 23, and his been getting call-ups, as well as, starts for the Brazilian NT. Since his been in Benfica his always been a rock for us at the back. His really a strong, physical player who rarely misses a beat. He knows how to defend and position himself well at the back, his distribution from the back is good, and can pop in some goals here and there off a set piece. I would compare him to a Ricardo Carvalho little bit. I remember when he first signed with us and began playing a few games a lot of fans were saying his playing style is similar to R.Carvalho. You guys surely won't be disappointed. Just don't expect him to hit the ground running because as you know its always tough for a player to join a new team in a new country especially during the middle of the season. However, come to think of it he did join Benfica during the middle of the season in 2007 and adapted really quickly to the Portuguese game, but I feel he will need a bit more time with you guys because lets face it playing for a team like Chelsea in the best Football league in the world is real different then playing for Benfica in the Portuguese League. My only advice to you Chelsea fans is don't play him at left-back lol. Some reports say he can play on the left side when needed, but he will suck for you at that position. His better off and more comfortable as a central defender. With that said I wish nothing, but the best for my former hero. Enjoy him and hopefully once his contract runs out he'll come back to his true home

Forca David Luiz!!!

[Madmax 9,219]

Hello mates. First time posting here. I'll just say I'm a huge Benfiquista (Benfica fan) and I'm absolutely gutted to see David Luiz leave my club. I knew David Luiz's days at Benfica were numbered, but I would've preferred him to leave in the summer. Oh well at least Benfica got some nice cash for him. Anyways for those who don't know much about David Luiz here's a run down from a fan who's been watching him play the last four years... David Luiz is by no means overrated. I mean he won the best player in the Portuguese League last season, captained our side in a few games even though his still 23, and his been getting call-ups, as well as, starts for the Brazilian NT. Since his been in Benfica his always been a rock for us at the back. His really a strong, physical player who rarely misses a beat. He knows how to defend and position himself well at the back, his distribution from the back is good, and can pop in some goals here and there off a set piece. I would compare him to a Ricardo Carvalho little bit. I remember when he first signed with us and began playing a few games a lot of fans were saying his playing style is similar to R.Carvalho. You guys surely won't be disappointed. Just don't expect him to hit the ground running because as you know its always tough for a player to join a new team in a new country especially during the middle of the season. However, come to think of it he did join Benfica during the middle of the season in 2007 and adapted really quickly to the Portuguese game, but I feel he will need a bit more time with you guys because lets face it playing for a team like Chelsea in the best Football league in the world is real different then playing for Benfica in the Portuguese League. My only advice to you Chelsea fans is don't play him at left-back lol. Some reports say he can play on the left side when needed, but he will suck for you at that position. His better off and more comfortable as a central defender. With that said I wish nothing, but the best for my former hero. Enjoy him and hopefully once his contract runs out he'll come back to his true home

Forca David Luiz!!!

Welcome to our forums mate and thanks for the useful information

Is it true Luiz can play on the right of defence as well? I've read some papers say so.