Defender Glen Johnson signs for Chelsea ( 2003-07-16 10:17) (Reuters)
Chelsea completed their first signing under new owner Roman Abramovich on
Tuesday, buying West Ham United defender Glen Johnson for six million pounds
($9.67 million).
Chelsea said on their website the fee for the England under-21 international
was the highest the club had paid for a teenager, surpassing Nigerian Celestine
Babayaro's 2.25-million-pound move in 1997.
The 18-year-old right back, who signed for five years, is due to fly out to
Italy to join the rest of the premier league squad in their pre-season
preparations, the club said.
British newspapers have linked Chelsea with several high-profile players --
including Arsenal's Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, Edgar Davids of Juventus
and Inter Milan's Christian Vieri -- since Russian billionaire Abramovich took
over the London club two weeks ago.
Last week they agreed a deal with Real Madrid to sign Cameroon international
midfielder Geremi for 10 million euros ($11.31 million) and are discussing
personal terms with the player.
Blackburn Rovers said on Tuesday they had turned down three bids from Chelsea
for their Ireland winger Damien Duff.
