Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has officially signed a four-year deal at Lille, according to the club's official website.
The Ivorian international had been rumoured to sign for the former French champions after being released by Chelsea on July 1, with the deal picking up pace after the news that the 26 year old arrived in the French city on Friday evening for a medical, along with brother and adviser Bonaventure, himself formerly of Auxerre, PSG and Lens in Ligue 1.
A statement on Lille's official website reads:
"LOSC formalizes the arrival of Salomon Kalou who this morning underwent the traditional medical procedure after his arrival at Domaine de Luchin yesterday.
"Released late June, the contract of the 26-year-old European champion is [for] four seasons. The former Chelsea player and is committed until 2016.
"The arrival of a European Champion to LOSC, Salomon Kalou, certainly fits among the highlights of the 2012-2013 transfer window. Ambitious to enter a new stadium, the club and Michel Seydoux [club president] is pleased to have attracted a player of this calibre in their squad."
Kalou spent six seasons in West London, making more than 240 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 60 times, but found playing time increasingly rare this season, turning out only 12 times in the Premier League.
The Ivorian replaces Eden Hazard, who incidentally quit the French club for Stamford Bridge, and becomes Rudi Garcia's fourth signing at Grande Stade Lille Metropole, joining Marvin Martin, Steeve Elana and Viktor Klonaridis at Les Dogues.
BREAKING NEWS: Lille announce Kalou deal
By Mohammed Ali | GOAL.com – Sat, Jul 7, 2012 8:44 PM SGT
View Photo'He is full of talent' - Garcia impressed by new Lille signing Kalou
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