Chelsea have completed a deal to resign Serbian Nemanja Matić from Benfica for a fee believed to be in the region of €25m.
The midfielder left Stamford Bridge three years ago as a part of the deal that took David Luiz in the opposite direction, after he struggled to cement regular first-team place at the Blues.
The 25-year old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract to end speculation with a move to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Serbian has developed into one of the Europe’s top holding midfield players since leaving Chelsea for Benfica but has expressed his delight to be back in West London.
"I am very happy for the opportunity to be back at this club," he said.
"I feel very good and will give my best to help the team and make the Chelsea fans happy."
Blues boss Jose Mourinho also stated that he was happy to have midfielder Matić back at Chelsea.
"I am very pleased Nemanja is returning to Chelsea. He has grown as a player in Portugal and has become a fantastic all-round midfielder," Mourinho said.
I am sure he will become a very important member of the squad and help us achieve our ambitions," the London giant’s manager added.