Real Madrid's Claude Makelele has become Chelsea's final signing of the summer transfer window after joining on a four-year deal believed to be worth £16.6 million sterling.
The move has been completed hours before the transfer window is due to close at five o'clock this evening.
Makelele has only recently returned to training, following a period of protest against his former employers at the Santiago Bernabeau that saw the holding midfielder strike because of wage demands.
Makelele was aggrieved at what he saw as derisory wages in comparison to his more celebrated teammates.
He cited Chelsea's ambition as his reason for joining the London club.
The signing is Chelsea's tenth since new owner Roman Abramovich's arrival at the club and brings the Russian's spending to over £110 million sterling.