Chelsea have completed the signing of Christopher Nkunku from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
Nkunku signed a pre-contract agreement last October to join the Blues and his move to west London has now been made official, eight months after the two clubs agreed to the deal.
While the Frenchman is Chelsea’s first acquisition of the transfer window, many more are expected to follow in what is shaping up to be another busy summer at Stamford Bridge.
“I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea,” Nkunku told Chelsea’s official website.
“A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch.
“Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world.
“I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt.”
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley added: “Christopher has proved himself one of the standout attacking players in European football over the past two seasons and will add quality, creativity and versatility to our squad.”
Despite missing nine Bundesliga games last season through injury, Nkunku managed to finish as the leading scorer alongside Niclas Fullkrug with the duo netting 16 times apiece.
The 25-year-old also led Leipzig to a second consecutive DFB Pokal title courtesy of his goal and assist in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt which ended 2-0 earlier this month.
Nkunku operates in a variety of attacking positions but he is expected to play behind the striker at Stamford Bridge as his new employers remain in the market for a centre-forward.
Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, while they also hold an interest in Dusan Vlahovic.