Del Horno joins Valencia

Valencia have completed the signing of full-back Asier del Horno from Chelsea.

The clubs agreed on a fee – thought to be £4.8m (€7m) – for Del Horno, and he successfully agreed personal terms with the Primera Liga club, signing a six-year contract to replace Fabio Aurelio after the Brazilian’s move to Liverpool.

The 25-year-old joined Premiership champions Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £8m (€11.72m) last summer, but struggled to hold down a regular place in Jose Mourinho’s side.

The left-back's departure could now leave the Stamford Bridge door open for Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole.

Spanish giants Valencia announced the signing on their club website, www.valenciacf.es, and declared that Del Horno would be paraded alongside fellow new recruit Fernando Morientes on Monday.