Chelsea F.C. have completed the signing of Samuel Eto’o from Russian Premier League strugglers Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee, according to the club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com.
Eto’o, who became the world’s highest paid footballer — with an annual salary of €20 million (after taxes) — after joining Anzhi from F.C. Internazionale Milano on a three-year deal in the summer of 2011, has signed a one-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The Cameroon international, 32, will cost the Blues a fee in the region of £5 million, according to reports.
“I am very happy to be here but also anxious because I want to get playing as soon as possible,” said Eto’o.
“It wasn’t a hard decision. I saw the qualities Chelsea have, and I was very happy with Jose Mourinho before, so when the opportunity came, I was very happy to take it.”
Internazionale and Qatari side Al Gharafa were also reportedly interested in Eto’o, but the Cameroonian ace snubbed Italy and Qatar for West London (i.e., the right decision), where he will be reunited with Anzhi team-mate Willian and manager Jose Mourinho.
Over the past three seasons, Eto’o scored a total of 36 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the Dagestanskiye.
Flamini rejoins Arsenal
Arsenal have confirmed that Mathieu Flamini has re-signed for the club after five years at AC Milan, as per the Gunners’ official website, www.arsenal.com.
Between 2004 and 2008, Flamini made 153 competitive senior appearances for the Gunners before joining Milan in 2008.
“Arsenal are in my heart and they will be in my heart for ever,” said the former France international in an interview in April 2009. “I will always be an Arsenal fan and leaving was not easy.”
Flamini, 29, is the club’s second signing of the summer, behind Yaya Sanogo, who arrived via free transfer from French side AJ Auxerre.
“We’re very pleased Mathieu has agreed to re-join us,” said Wenger.
“He is a player of real quality, with a fantastic work rate and great mentality. As we know, Mathieu is a strong midfielder, but is also is comfortable playing in defence too. He is a very good addition to our squad.”
The addition of Flamini gives the Gunners a much-needed midfield enforcer who also has the ability to play as an auxiliary left-back.
In fact, the 29-year-old was part of an Arsenal defence that kept a record 10 consecutive clean-sheets in the UEFA Champions League in 2010.
Over the past five seasons, Flamini made 122 total appearances for the Rossoneri, winning the Serie A title in 2010/11 and the Supercoppa Italiana in the following season.
Mathieu has been assigned the No. 20 shirt at Arsenal.
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