Boulahrouz signs for Blues

Last updated : 21 August 2006 By Paul Lagan
Chelsea have signed Khalid Boulahrouz.
The Dutch defender was at the Bridge yesterday to see his new side beat Manchester City 3-0.
He has passed his medical and has signed for about £6m from Hammburg.

He is 24 and has 15 caps for Holland.

"In a short squad and in a country where you can have only 16 players for a match, it's important to have cover for many positions," said Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

"So now I can have Boulahrouz, Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry - three options for the centre. I can have Paulo Ferreira and Boulahrouz - two options for the right side; I can have Boulahrouz and Wayne Bridge - two options for the left side."

"He is a good competitive player and will be a good addition to our squad," Chelsea's assistant manager Steve Clarke told Chelsea TV.

"It is important to have one or two players around the squad who can play in a number of different positions."

Boulahrouz is available for Chelsea's European campaign and is in the squad for Wednesday's Premiership game at Middlesbrough.