Blues sign Croat teenager Pasalic

Chelsea have announced the signing of midfielder Mario Pasalic from Hajduk Split.

The 19-year-old, who was named in Croatia’s provisional 30-man World Cup squad, joined up with Jose Mourinho’s squad for its first pre-season training session yesterday.

“I am very happy because I am now a Chelsea player,” Pasalic said.

“This is now a new start in my career. I am a central midfielder, my favourite player is Frank Lampard, and so I am very happy to be a Chelsea player.”

Pasalic completed his first full campaign in senior football last season, scoring 11 times in 36 games in all competitions and helping Hajduk finish third in the Prva HNL, Croatia’s top tier. The German-born teenager has represented Croatia at Under-21 level.

Pasalic may follow in the footsteps of a number of Chelsea’s young prospects by being sent out on loan to gain more first-team experience. The Blues have already loaned Wallace and Bertrand Traore to Vitesse this summer as well as Tomas Kalas to Cologne and Thorgan Hazard to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Pasalic is Chelsea’s third summer signing following Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona and Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid.