Chelsea FC today announced that they have completed the signing of Ramires from Benfica, for a fee believed to be around £16.3 million.
The initial hold up to the deal was due to the third party ownership of Ramires contract, held by one Kia Joorabchian, and understood to be 50% of the value of any sell on clause.
Joorabchian had played a part in bringing the Brazilian to Benfica, and with ownership regulations less stringent in the Portuguese league this wasn’t a problem. However after the West Ham and Carlos Tevez affair, rules were put in place to ensure Premiership clubs owned 100% of their player contracts.
This was not the final hurdle to clear though, with a work permit far but guaranteed due to the ruling on Non-EU players, stating that they must have completed a certain percentage of international matches for their home country.
As we told you on Monday, this was expected and so we knew an appeal would have to be lodged and heard, before any transfer could complete. With Ramires in action for Brazil on Wednesday night, Thursday was the earliest it could happen.
We broke the news last night that the work permit had been granted, and the deal would complete today. As expected, Ramires is now officially a Chelsea player.
So what are we getting then? With the loss of Ballack, Cole, Deco, Belletti and others our mid-field is looking a bit lighter than normal, but in Ramires we are getting a hell of a player. Born Ramires Santos do Nascimento, in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, the 23 year old can play either centrally or on the right hand side.
Much talk has been of how he is a defensive midfielder and will replace Mikel, but he’s not. Ramires is a box to box midfielder, much in the mould of our own Michael Essien. He is is quick, intelligent, and can hold up the ball well or move it quickly both short and long distances.
He was pivotal to the Brazil team at the World Cup and was notable by his absence, as Brazil lost to Holland 2-1, with then Brazil boss Dunga citing the lack of Ramires presence in the midfield as a determining factor.
Speaking today Ramires said; “Every player in the world would love to play for Chelsea and it’s a great opportunity that was given to me, I will give my best to repay this chance, and I am very happy.”
Carlo Ancelotti added; “He is a fantastic player, a fantastic midfielder, he is very young and will be the future of the Brazilian national team, and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea.”
So do we Carlo, so do we. Ramires, welcome to Chelsea.
Have you found our NEW Chelsea Supporters Social Network? http://thechels.me
Comments are closed.