Benayoun heads for Chelsea

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun confirmed Thursday he has signed a three-year deal with Premier League champions Chelsea.

The 30-year-old Israeli, who had a contract tying him to Anfield until 2013, has been signed after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed transfer fee

“I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player,” Benayoun told the club’s website.

“Hopefully we will be successful.”

Benayoun first moved to the Premier League in 2005 when he joined West Ham from Spanish club Racing Santander. His excellent form for the Hammers saw him secure a move to Anfield in the summer of 2007.

He made 172 appearances for the Reds and scored 37 goals, including the header that gave the Merseysiders a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu when they met Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League during the 2008-09 season.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “We are happy to have this new player. Yossi has a lot of quality in midfield and can play in lots of positions. I like his behaviour on the pitch and he will do a great job for us next season.”

A Liverpool spokesman said: “Yossi’s departure was agreed between the player and (former manager) Rafael Benitez a number of weeks ago. Everybody at Liverpool FC wishes him well for the future.”