Chelsea complete signing of Palmieri from Roma

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Chelsea have completed the signing of left-back Emerson Palmieri from Roma for around £17.5m.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and will wear the number 33 shirt.

“I came here because it’s a great team with a great history. Today I am realising one of my dreams to pull on the shirt of such a great club,” he told Chelsea’s website.

“English football is something I have been watching since I was 15 years old. It is a really beautiful game over here but it is going to be even more beautiful to play it.”

Earlier in the day, however, Blues boss Antonio Conte all but confirmed that the proposed signing of Palmieri’s Roma team-mate Edin Dzeko is off.

Chelsea held talks with the former Manchester City striker but could not agree a deal.

“He is Roma’s player. I think he will continue to be Roma’s player,” Conte said.