Ivanovic deal done

Chelsea have strengthened their defence by signing talented Serbian Branislav Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow.

The 23-year-old defender becomes Avram Grant’s second signing of the transfer window after the £15m arrival of Nicolas Anelka last week.

Chelsea are understood to have paid almost £9m for the versatile player and a work permit has already been granted.

Ivanovic now has to complete a medical and agree personal terms but both would appear to be formalities.

A statement from Chelsea said: “Chelsea can confirm it has agreed terms with Lokomotiv Moscow for the transfer of Branislav Ivanovic.

“A work permit application has also been successful for the player. The transfer is now subject to the agreement of personal terms and passing of the medical.”

Ivanovic can play anywhere in defence and won his first senior cap for Serbia and Montenegro in June 2006 in a friendly against Italy which ended 1-1.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes Didier Drogba and Anelka could become one of the most devastating partnerships in the Barclays League.

Drogba is currently away on international duty in the African Nations Cup with the Ivory Coast and so Anelka, who arrived last week for £15m from Bolton, will have to wait to link up the striker.

However, while many critics claim the pair are too similar in style to form a successful attacking partnership, Nevin insists they could turn out to be a devastating duo.

“Maybe this weekend will see Anelka’s first start for Chelsea against Birmingham and hopefully his first goal as well,” he said.

“In the longer term there is the question of whether it will be Nic or Didier or both together up front. From the outside it doesn’t look like a classic partnership, but the new boy is talking it up and it just might click.

“If it does work it could be a devastating strikeforce, with Salomon Kalou and Andriy Shevchenko ready to provide further options.

“Most defences struggle to cope with Drogba on his own, add Anelka’s power and intelligent running in behind, along with his predatory instincts, then you start asking yourself if there are a better couple of strikers in the league?

“On top of this is the ex-Bolton man’s availability for the Carling Cup semi-final against Everton next week. It was one of the first pieces of business done during the transfer window, in the end it may turn out to be the best.

“Anelka would not have been my first choice – there were too many concerns such as his supposed attitude problem, his likeness to Drogba in style, etc.

“But the moment he stepped on the field it all seemed to make sense. If ever a player has been waiting for the right club it has been Anelka.

“You cannot say he has underachieved in his career, he has had so many multi-million pound moves, but for his ability he should have won more trophies and at some point been considered as one of the contenders for European player of the year.

“In all honesty however, to do this you have to be at a very top club. He is at one now and he knows it is now or never to show how good he really can be at a world level.”