Chelsea have confirmed the signing of the Ukraine striker from
AC Milan for a fee of around £30million.
The 29-year-old flew into London on Wednesday to conclude
negotiations with the Stamford Bridge club and signing a four-year
deal.
The former European Footballer of the Year said on the club's
official website: 'I am here for the challenge and the excitement
of playing in the Premier League. I am going from one big club to
another and joining a team of champions.
'There is a right moment to join a football club and I think I have
arrived here at the perfect time.
'The Champions League has to be a realistic target for next season
but it is not just about the Champions League. Chelsea is going for
their third Premiership as well and I like the club's mentality of
wanting to win every game they play.
'Had money been my motivation for coming, I would probably have
stayed in Milan.'
Having finally signed for Chelsea after a two-year pursuit by the
Premiership champions, Shevchenko will immediately join his
national side to prepare for his World Cup debut.
'I am pleased that Chelsea managed to conclude everything before
the World Cup - I can go to Germany with a clear mind and proud to
be a Chelsea player,' he said.
Shevchenko, who reportedly fell out with Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti
last season, revealed the chance to work with Chelsea Jose Mourinho
was also a factor in his decision.
'I have followed Mr Mourinho's career carefully for the last few
years and have been hugely impressed with the way he manages.
'He puts team ethic before individual expression which is the way I
believe great teams are created.'
Mourinho was delighted to finally land the striker he has courted
for some time.
'Today is a day when the dream became reality.
'Andriy has always been my first choice for Chelsea since I
arrived. Before it was not possible, now it is for real. He has
great qualities, ambition, discipline, tactical awareness and of
course he is a great goalscorer.
'I did not need to meet with him to convince him about Chelsea, in
the same way we did not need to talk a lot about why I wanted him.
Everybody knows him as a player, tactically he can play in the
Chelsea system, no doubt.'
