Chelsea FC transfer news: Schürrle signed to 5-year contract; to wear #14

The Andre Schürrle deal has been finalised by Chelsea Football Club. We've known this has been coming for a while, of course -- the confirmation that a deal had been agreed with Bayer Leverkusen came ages ago, and neither personal terms nor a medical were likely to be a big deal. But now we have confirmation that things are all done from the official site.

Schürrle has signed a five year deal and been given the number 14 shirt. Number 14 is currently occupied by Kevin de Bruyne, but don't get too worked up about what this means -- it's unlikely that the Belgian's particularly attached to it, having worn the shirt for part of preseason before being handed the number six kit at Werder Bremen.

Anyway, we've run the rule over Schürrle several times, and mostly come to the conclusion that he'll be a very useful player for Jose Mourinho to have in his arsenal. It takes a great deal of talent and application to even get a sniff at the Germany national team these days, and the versatile forward comes with an impressive resume. He is, as expect, pretty pleased to be here.

I am so happy now I have signed and it is an honour for me to play for this club, with this team and for these great fans. I am really looking forward to it.

I am too. Welcome to Chelsea, Andre.