 Malouda played for France in the World Cup final |
Chelsea have completed the signing of France international Florent Malouda from Lyon on a four-year contract. The 27-year-old winger has moved to Stamford Bridge for an undisclosed fee.
Lyon valued Malouda at �13.5m and president Jean-Michel Aulas told Lyon's TV channel on Monday that Chelsea were "in agreement" with them over the fee.
Malouda will join Chelsea in the United States for their pre-season tour, which includes a match against David Beckham's new club LA Galaxy.
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Left-sided player Malouda may feature in Chelsea's first game on tour against Mexican side Club America on Saturday at Stanford University.
The Frenchman is now set to again link up again with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, with whom he enjoyed success at Guingamp in 2002-03, and Michael Essien, who joined the Blues from Lyon in 2005.
And Malouda says Drogba played a part in his decision to join Chelsea, despite Liverpool also being linked with a move for him.
"Didier pushed a bit, a lot even," Malouda told French newspaper L'Equipe. "But then, at Chelsea, that's not enough to recruit a player.
"They were my number one choice for many reasons.
"I saw several matches there as a spectator and I always enjoyed it very much.
"There was also the coach, who really wanted to have me, and life in London because I want my family to feel at ease.
"The most important thing was I felt they really wanted me. I also feel the kind of football they play suits me quite well."
Malouda will give Chelsea additional experience, having won four French titles with Lyon and being voted best Ligue 1 player last season.
He was a member of the France squad that reached last year's World Cup final, a match they lost to Italy.
Malouda's deal is Chelsea's most prominent signing in the summer market, with Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim arriving on free transfers.