Deadline day transfers in pictures

The deal, which was sealed late on Sunday evening, brings to an end the club's �111m summer spending spree.

The Blues have given the 30-year-old midfielder a four-year contract after agreeing an undisclosed fee - believed to be about �16m - with Madrid.

Makelele will take the number four shirt at Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid director of football Jorge Valdano said his club faxed the documentation to the Blues just ahead of midnight deadline.

Chelsea confirmed documentation was received at 2330 BST, less than 12 hours before the deadline for players to be eligible for the Champions League.

Expect no more ins or outs in the remainder of the Premiership transfer window Chelsea statement

Makelele told Chelsea TV he was delighted to be joining a club with ambition.

"Everbody is talking about Chelsea. Real Madrid is no different to anyone," he said.

"There's lots of interest, everybody is talking about the ambition of the London club, Chelsea."

Makelele's on-off move looked like being derailed earlier on Sunday after a new dispute arose between the player and Real Madrid.

CHELSEA CASH SIGNINGS Glen Johnson: �6m Wayne Bridge: �7m Damien Duff: �17m Geremi: �7m Juan Sebastian Veron: �15m Joe Cole: �6.6m Adrian Mutu �15.8m Alexei Smertin: �3.45m Hernan Crespo: �16.8m Neil Sullivan: �500,000 Claude Makelele: �16m Total to date: �111.15m

The Frenchman's agent Marc Roger claimed the midfielder's transfer was "very unlikely" while Real refused to give Makelele his slice of the transfer fee.

But Valdano said the issue had been resolved because the player was entitled to no such payment.

"That was all a misunderstanding over nothing," Valdano said.

"That rule doesn't exist. Especially if that team is outside of Spain."

Makelele made it clear he wanted to leave the Spanish champions and recently refused to take part in training in protest at being one of the lowest-paid players at the club.

He becomes Chelsea's 11th since billionaire owner Roman Abramovich took over, taking his spending to more than �110m.