Chelsea seal Ramires deal

Chelsea tonight completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica.

The 23-year-old has joined on a four-year contract having received a work permit yesterday and passed a medical in London this afternoon.

The Blues are thought to have paid around £17m for the energetic and versatile midfielder.

Former Cruzeiro player Ramires will miss tomorrow's opening Premier League game against West Brom and instead join up with his new colleagues next week.

“Every player in the world would love to play for Chelsea and it’s a great opportunity that was given to me, I will give my best to repay this chance, and I am very happy,” he told chelseafc.com.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “He is a fantastic player, a fantastic midfielder, he is very young and will be the future of the Brazilian national team, and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea.”