Football story by Boris Webb, Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:36:00 GMT


LONDON - The highly anticipated transfer of Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge was completed yesterday much to the relief of all parties concerned. Cole, who has been linked with a move to the Blues for over a year, now, was sent to the Bridge in exchange for France defender William Gallas and £5 million.

Cole was with the England squad and had his medical near a Manchester hotel before sealing the deal. The move comes as a relied for the 25-year-old after he fell out of favor with the Gunners as he accused them of making him a scapegoat in the Chelsea tapping up affair last year. Gallas meanwhile had fallen foul of the Blues regime and refused to sign a new contract holding out for more lucrative terms.

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The transfers were completed just before the deadline ended at midnight. "Chelsea FC and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas. Chelsea will also pay Arsenal £5m. Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals," a joint statement released by the two clubs at 0125 BST on Friday said.

Gallas was signed from French side Marseille five years ago and appeared in Chelsea colors for more than 200 games, while Cole made 228 appearances for the Gunners since 2000.Cole will now fight it pout with England team-mate Wayne Bridge for the left-back position at Chelsea.