Irish international midfielder Damien Duff completed his move from Blackburn Rovers to Chelsea on Monday when he signed a four-year contract, the big-spending London club said on their website.

The two premier league sides had agreed a Chelsea club record fee of 17 million pounds ($27 million) last week - two million more than Chelsea paid Atletico Madrid for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink two years ago.

Chelsea said on Monday that Duff, who usually operates on the left wing, had passed his medical and would join the squad on their pre-season tour of Malaysia.

The 24-year-old is the fourth major signing for Chelsea since they were bought by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich earlier this month.

Earlier on Monday they finalised the transfer of England full back Wayne Bridge from Southampton for seven million pounds following the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Geremi from Real Madrid for the same amount and young defender Glen Johnson from West Ham United for six million pounds.

Duff took a few days to think about his move and explained the delay to Chelsea TV.

"This was probably the biggest decision of my life and I didn't want to rush it," he said.

"It was just a matter of thinking everything through. I had seven great years at Blackburn and there was no big reason to move but in the end I decided a big new challenge was necessary.

"I'm really looking forward to playing for my new club. It looks as though great things are going to happen at Chelsea.

"It just feels right. It is a big, big chance and I can't wait." 

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