Cahill seals Chelsea move

Centre-back Gary Cahill has completed his move from Bolton to Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, believed to be worth seven million pounds.

The 26-year-old began negotiations with the London club 16 days ago and has finally put pen to paper on a deal following a medical on Saturday, after which he oversaw his new team’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland in the English Premier League.

He will be available to play for Chelsea in the FA Cup, having not made an appearance in the competition so far this season for Bolton.

Cahill becomes the fifth current England international in the Chelsea squad, along with captain John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Daniel Sturridge.

“Chelsea is a massive club, it is a club that looks to win trophies season in season out,” said Cahill, who will wear the number 24 shirt.

“It is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can’t turn down.”

The defender leaves Bolton after 130 appearances for the Lancashire club, during which he scored 15 goals – the last of which came in January 4’s 2-1 win over Everton.

An Aston Villa academy product, Cahill’s first experience of professional football came on loan at Burnley during the 2004/05 season.

He returned to Villa’s in 2005 and, after another a loan spell with Sheffield United, stayed there until making a five million-pound switch to Bolton in January 2008.

He made his first England appearance in September 2010 as a substitute for Michael Dawson, partnering Terry in a 4-0 win over Bulgaria.

He scored his first goal for England in September, also against Bulgaria.