Chelsea have completed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal for an estimated £18 million.
The France international will join the Blues on an 18-month contract with an option to extend it for another year after the two clubs agreed a deal on Wednesday.
The move has now been made official after Arsenal confirmed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, who have just loaned Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea.
A triangle of transfers developed between the three clubs over the last few days of the January transfer window, with each move seemingly hindering on one of the others going through.
While Dortmund wanted Batshuayi as Aubameyang’s replacement, Chelsea were reluctant to let him go without bringing in another alternative to Alvaro Morata and turned to Giroud after failing to land Edin Dzeko from Roma.
Arsenal, however, were awaiting their club record signing from the German side before relinquishing the France international.
Giroud told Chelsea’s official website: ‘Chelsea is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League. They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years. It’s a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea, and I’m looking forward to playing.’
The 31-year-old had grown frustrated at the Gunners after being dropped to the bench following Alexandre Lacazette’s arrival from Lyon.
Giroud started just one of his 16 Premier League games this season, scoring four goals, and had been linked to West Ham, Everton and Borussia Dortmund in recent months but opted to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Although first-team opportunities were rare, Arsene Wenger urged him to stay at the club for the remainder of the season.
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