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Pedro a Chelsea player as forward signs from Barcelona

| 21.08.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Premier League 4/1 title chances Chelsea have announced the signing of Spain winger Pedro Rodriguez from treble winners Barcelona, after they activated his reported £21.4m release clause.

La Roja half centurion Pedro, 28, joins on a long-term deal after agreeing personal terms, after rivals Manchester United reportedly decided not to sign him.

“I am very happy to be here,” Pedro said. “I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.

“Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.”

Pedro is not the only attacker to have left Barca for the Premier League this summer, after Ibrahim Afellay and Moha El Ouriachi signed for Stoke City, Gerard Deulofeu rejoined Everton and Adama Traore became an Aston Villa player.

In swapping the Nou Camp for Stamford Bridge, Pedro becomes the Blues’ third senior summer signing, after Asmir Begovic from the Trotters and Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco.

Barca, meanwhile, said: “The club wishes to publicly express its gratitude to Pedro Rodriguez for his professionalism and dedication while with the club, as well as to wish him all the best in the future.”

Pedro joins after playing a part in Barca’s pre-season, as well as the UEFA and Spanish Super Cups. He netted a crucial late winner against Sevilla in the former, but could not prevent his former team from losing 5-1 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao in the latter.

The Canary Islands-born forward, who had spent his whole senior career with the Catalan giants after coming through their La Masia academy, has scored against Premier League opposition before – Man Utd, who he netted once against in two appearances.

However, Pedro has not fared quite as well against the other English giants in competitive competitions, having failed to strike against Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal, although he did manage three assists in those six games.

In joining Chelsea, Pedro links up with a number of other Spain internationals already at the club, including Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta and Diego Costa.

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Author

Sam Barnard

Sam has been writing for Coral since January 2014, and is the assistant editor of the news site. As well as the main betting sports, football, tennis and cricket, he covers the likes of golf, F1 and darts too, the latter of which has become a particular favourite. Sam enjoys playing as much as writing about sports, but niggling injuries have limited his participation in recent years, so is happy to mainly watch the pros such as Manchester United, Yorkshire CCC, Raymond van Barneveld and even Gibraltar national football team instead.