Chelsea have finally signed Danny Drinkwater after Leicester City accepted an improved offer on transfer deadline day.
The England international handed in a transfer request on Monday to try and force a move to Stamford Bridge, but the two clubs were still struggling to agree a fee heading into deadline day.
Chelsea’s first two offers worth £18million and £25m were rejected as Leicester looked to make in excess of £30m for the 27-year-old.
However, Chelsea's third bid - understood to be worth £27m, plus add ons which would take it beyond £30m - was successful, with Antonio Conte landing an extra midfielder after selling Nemanja Matic to Manchester United for £40m.
The deal sees Drinkwater reunited with N'Golo Kante, who he formed a title-winning midfield partnership with back in 2016.
Drinkwater told Chelsea's website: "I’m delighted to be a Chelsea player and can’t wait to get started. It has been a long journey to get here but I am very happy and am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies."
The club's technical director, Michael Emenalo, added: "Danny is not only a Premier League winner but also has Champions League experience which will be invaluable for us this season.
"He is a typically combative English midfielder with a cultured passing technique and his arrival significantly strengthens our midfield options."
