Chelsea have signed Brazilian striker Joao Pedro from Brighton for a reputed £60 million ($79 million) deal on Wednesday.
Pedro flew to the United States, where Chelsea is competing in the Club World Cup, on Sunday after the conditions of his eight-year contract were finalised.
Pedro is now available to participate in Enzo Maresca’s Club World Cup quarter-final versus Palmeiras in Philadelphia, having had his transfer confirmed following a medical.
FIFA has extended clubs in the Club World Cup knockout stage until July 3 to register fresh players for the event.
“Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,” Pedro said.
“They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now, so I am excited to join, and you know when you are a Chelsea player, you must think one thing – win.”
Pedro, who joined Brighton from Watford for £30 million two years ago, has 30 goals in 70 games for the Seagulls and three caps for Brazil.
The 23-year-old missed Brighton’s final two games of the season after being dropped following a training ground confrontation with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Pedro is Chelsea’s fourth signing from Brighton in recent years, following Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea, who have qualified for next season’s Champions League, have already spent heavily on striker Liam Delap, midfielder Dario Essugo, and defender Mamadou Sarr since the end of last season.
Brazilian emerging sensation Estevao Willian, 18, will join the Blues following his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras.
Jamie Gittens, a Borussia Dortmund winger, might soon join Chelsea after a deal worth up to 65 million euros ($76 million) was agreed on Saturday.
