Chelsea have completed the signing of Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for a fee in the region of £8 million.

The Bosnia international, 28, has been handed the number one jersey, but is expected to be deputy to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge.

“I am very happy to be joining Chelsea FC,” Begovic told the club’s official website. “After speaking at length to the manager, I feel like I can develop here and be an important part of this team.”

Begovic established himself as a leading Premier League stopper during a five-and-a-half year stint at the Britannia Stadium. However, ousting Courtois from the Chelsea goal could prove near-impossible, with Petr Cech recently sealing a switch to Arsenal after finding game time hard to come by at the Blues.

In a statement on his personal Twitter account, Begovic thanked the Stoke staff, players and fans. “I have loved my time at Stoke, but feel I have to take this opportunity for me to continue to develop and challenge myself as a player,” he wrote.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved during my time at Stoke, and it has been a great team of players to work with.”

Begovic made 35 appearances for the Potters last season keeping seven clean sheets.

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