Chelsea sign Michael Hector and Papy Djilobodji to sure up defence

Matt McGeehan 09:32 02/09/2015
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  • Boyhood dream: Hector (l) has signed for the EPL champions from Reading.

    Chelsea have signed Michael Hector from Reading, where the defender will remain for the season as one of the Premier League champions’ 33 loan players.

    Hector joined Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji in signing for the Blues on transfer deadline day.

    Senegal international Djilobodji will remain with the first-team squad after signing a four-year deal, but the 23-year-old Hector will continue playing at the Madejski Stadium.

    “Chelsea Football Club have today completed the signing of Michael Hector from Reading,” a Chelsea statement read.

    Hector is a boyhood Chelsea supporter, a Jamaica international and made his Reading debut in January 2014. The 21-year-old comes with a reported £4 million (Dh22m) price tag, 10 per cent of the fee said to be required to prise John Stones from Everton.

    Chelsea made their move for Djilobodji after being repeatedly rebuffed by Everton over Stones, a player for whom Chelsea could 
    return in January or next summer.

    The 26-year-old Djilobodji said: “I’m very happy to sign for a big club like Chelsea and I want to do my best to help the team win titles.”

    Hector’s arrival and swift departure takes the number of Chelsea loanees to 33.

    Lucas Piazon is another Chelsea player on loan at Reading, who are managed by former Blues coach Steve Clarke Victor Moses and Islam Feruz signed loan deals with West Ham and Hibernian, respectively, while Nathaniel Chalobah followed, with Serie A side Napoli confirming his arrival on loan.

    Moses signed a four-year deal before moving to West Ham while Izzy Brown, currently on loan for the season at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland, also signed a four-year contract.

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    Chelsea were roundly praised for their early purchases in the summer of 2014 of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, but many supporters will be underwhelmed by this summer’s transfer activity.

    Rumoured interest in Paul Pogba of Juventus refuses to subside, but it is yet to advance beyond speculation with the French midfielder remaining in Turin.

    Meanwhile, Everton held firm in holding on to Stones amid a number of bids from west London.

    The Blues have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, left-back Baba Rahman and striker Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco – all like-for-like replacements for Petr Cech, Filipe Luis and Didier Drogba. Pedro was added from Barcelona and Brazilian teenager Kenedy joined.

    The Blues have conceded nine goals in four games in accruing four points to sit eight adrift of leaders Manchester City.

    Djilobodji had one year remaining on his Nantes contract and his switch to Chelsea was unexpected but he represent a fall-back option.

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