Olivier Giroud proud to join 'massive club' Chelsea in £18m deadline day deal

Vaishali Bhardwaj31 January 2018

Olivier Giroud has called his £18million transfer to Chelsea from Arsenal a "proud" moment in his career, and is eager to start playing for the west London club.

The Premier League champions announced the capture of the France striker from their London rivals on Wednesday afternoon, with Giroud putting pen to paper on an 18-month deal.

Giroud, 31, had been used mostly as a substitute at the Emirates Stadium this season, and arrives at Chelsea to provide back-up to first-choice striker Alvaro Morata.

However, he could be put straight into Antonio Conte's starting line-up when the Blues take on Watford next Monday due to Morata's back injury, which has kept him out of action for the past two games.

And Giroud admitted he is looking forward to getting more game time at Chelsea, labelling the west London side as one of the "biggest teams" in the Premier League.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, the Frenchman said: "Chelsea is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League.

"They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years. It’s a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea, and I’m looking forward to playing."

Chelsea's search for a striker this month had initially led them to Roma's Edin Dzeko, who previously played for Manchester City.

But after a deal for the forward collapsed, Chelsea turned their attentions to Giroud due to the striker fitting the physical profile of what coach Conte wants from a forward - and the fact that he knows the demands of the English top-flight well.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, who negotiates the club's transfers, admitted Giroud's track record of scoring goals in the Premier League proved crucial to the Blues deciding to sign him.

She said: "Olivier is a proven talent at the top level and we are very pleased to call him a Chelsea player.

"He has scored goals regularly throughout his career and is well accustomed to English football and the Premier League. We are sure he will be a fantastic signing."

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