Chelsea have completed the signing of Branislav Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow. The versatile defender was bought for a reported €12m and has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the London club.

The 23-year-old, capped nine times, is a versatile defender whose displays for club and country over the last two years have attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs.

Ivanovic, playing as an over-age player, captained the Serbia side that finished runners-up to Netherlands in last year's European under-21 championship.

"It is the dream of every footballer to want to move on and improve yourself and the ultimate is to play for such a big team as this," he told Chelsea's website today.

His arrival casts further doubt over the future of Wayne Bridge who, despite impressive form this season, has not been able to secure a regular spot in Avram Grant's first team.

Ivanovic is the second signing of the January transfer window after Nicolas Anelka arrived from Bolton for €20m.

That acquisition has led striker Didier Drogba to urge Barcelona to "get their chequebook out".

The Spanish side are believed to be admirers of Drogba, who is currently preparing for the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.

Drogba, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season, is eager to partner Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, but recognises that Barca would have to pay top price for him.

"Any striker in my situation would say they'd be really happy to get the chance to play alongside Samuel," Drogba told today's Daily Express.

"I don't see why it should not happen. It would be something exceptional. But Barcelona would need to get their chequebook out to make it happen.

"The things I love about Samuel are his pace, his instinct for goals, his running and simply the fact he is indispensable to Barcelona."

Eto'o has also confessed an interest in striking up a partnership with Drogba and has revealed he nearly moved to Chelsea after holding secret talks with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

"I don't see why both of us can't play for the same side," Eto'o added. "Just imagine what a team containing Didier and me would be like.

"I came to London to meet Mourinho in a hotel. We had a good, long discussion but we did not manage to reach an agreement.

"There are sometimes things that you can't explain too much. It was a while ago. But Didier was aware of everything that went on."

Agencies