Mateo Kovacic joins Chelsea on permanent £40m transfer from Real Madrid

CHELSEA have completed the permanent £40million signing of Mateo Kovacic from Real Madrid following last season’s loan.

The 25-year-old has penned a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and is likely to be their only addition this summer due to the 12-month Fifa transfer ban.

He initially moved to West London from the Spanish capital a year ago and featured 51 times under previous boss Maurizio Sarri.

The ex-Dinamo Zagreb and Inter Milan midfielder failed to hit the net for the Blues but did help them to Europa League joy.

A statement from Madrid, who he spent three years at, said: “Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC have agreed to the transfer of player Mateo Kovacic.

“The club wants to thank Kovacic for all these years of dedication, professionalism and exemplary behaviour, and wishes him good luck in his new stage.”

The Galacticos have decided to cash-in on the Croatian international to help balance the books.

They have already shelved out £130m to Chelsea for Eden Hazard as Zinedine Zidane plots a huge overhaul at the Bernabeu.

Frank Lampard is expected to confirmed as Sarri’s replacement in the Stamford Bridge dug-out over the coming days following the Italian’s departure to Juventus.

Derby have given him permission to miss the start of their pre-season as talks continue for the Blues’ all-time top scorer to return as boss.