GARY CAHILL has described the opportunity to move to Chelsea as too good to turn down, having finally completed a €8.5 million move from Bolton Wanderers after two weeks’ haggling over personal terms.

The England centre-half is understood to have compromised on his original wage demands to accept a figure of about €96,000 a week, and has signed a contract until the summer of 2017. The 26-year-old will train with his new team-mates for the first time today and may make his debut for the club at Norwich City on Saturday.

Cahill, who has seven England caps, will hope to cement his place in Fabio Capello’s squad with his performances before the summer’s European Championship, having already struck up a fine understanding alongside John Terry in the national team.

“Chelsea is a massive club, a club that looks to win trophies season in, season out, and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that,” said the former Aston Villa defender, whose Bolton contract was due to expire in the summer. “Opportunities like this, you can’t turn down.

“This is the right move for me at the right time and I would like to thank everyone at Bolton because I’ve had a great four years at the football club. My spell with Wanderers has enabled me to break into the England squad, and I would particularly like to thank the fans for their support along the way.”

Cahill could prove to be the only permanent arrival at Stamford Bridge during the midwinter window, with Andre Villas-Boas having recognised the need to strengthen at the back, particularly after Chelsea accepted a transfer request from Alex, who could yet complete a move to Queens Park Rangers this week if a fee can be agreed.

“Gary has good technical abilities, which is important in the way we want to play and to implement our philosophy, our passing philosophy in building from the back,” the manager said. “He has speed of anticipation, is an English international of course, and has values off the pitch.

“He adds to a very, very good back four and he competes with three of the world’s best [in David Luiz, Terry and Branislav Ivanovic at centre-back]. Competition will be tight for him but we brought him in to become better as a team.”

GuardianService