With time running out to bring in reinforcements, manager Antonio Conte made the surprising decision to sanction a move for 29-year-old Luiz, despite the club choosing to sell him in 2014 for £50m that remains the highest fee spent on a defender.
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The formalities of the deal were concluded without issue and Chelsea confirmed on their official website shortly after 11pm on Wednesday night that Luiz has re-joined the club on a three-year contract.
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has welcomed the return of David Luiz to Stamford Bridge after his sensational deadline day transfer. I can not wait to wear the shirt and play at Stamford Bridge again.
It was no secret that Chelsea were in the market to bolster their backline this summer and the Blues left it till deadline day to complete a double swoop for Marcos Alonso and David Luiz for a combined fee of around £55 million.
PSG is reported to have paid £40m for him two years ago – £6m more than Chelsea has bid to re-sign him.
He made 143 appearances, scoring 12 goals, before his record-breaking switch to PSG.
Luiz was able to pass his medical for his return to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge in dramatic fashion, with only five minutes left before the transfer window was closed.
Luiz, who also played a key role as Chelsea won the 2012 FA Cup and 2013 Europa League, originally joined the Blues from Benfica in January 2011.
If you thought Chelsea signing Alonso – formerly of Bolton and Sunderland – was unusual, it’s nothing on Luiz’s signing. This is a new adventure for me and to play in the Premier League is a dream come true.
To be sure, Luiz is certainly not a bad player.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s United States defender Matt Miazga has joined Vitesse Arnhem on loan until the end of the season.
Alonso’s arrival gives Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte options at the back, with the possibility of Cesar Azpilicueta switching to right-back and Branislav Ivanovic playing in the centre of defence.
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“It’s a step up in my career, and I think this is the ideal place for me to continue developing”, Alonso said.
