Chelsea have reinforced their attacking line with the signing of French striker Olivier Giroud from Arsenal on an 18-month contract, the Premier League clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
"Chelsea is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League," the 31-year-old said in a statement. "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."
Giroud has found it difficult to cement a place in the Arsenal starting lineup this season, with manager Arsene Wenger preferring to start Alexandre Lacazette as a lone striker.
Giroud has made 16 appearances in the league, with 15 of them coming as a substitute. He joined Arsenal from French side Montpellier in 2012 and his goal tally has hit double figures in each of his last five seasons.
Giroud’s move to Chelsea formed a piece of a transfer story that involved Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moving to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi moving to Dortmund as his replacement.
Chelsea would only give the green light to the Batshuayi deal once they were given permission to sign Giroud from Arsenal and all those deals have now been finalised on deadline day.
The transfer concludes Giroud’s five-and-a-half-year stay at Arsenal, with his record of scoring 105 goals in 253 games including some crucial strikes in high profile matches as he helped the Gunners win three FA Cups in the last four years.
"He is a guy who gave great service to the club, he never let us down on the commitment front and saved us many times," said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as he paid tribute to Giroud.
"I have absolutely no doubt, when I ask him if he is ready to commit and he says yes. I have no problem with that and put him on because it was needed.
"I took him from Montpellier and made him a strong international player for France. We have come together through good and bad but always his behaviour was top, top class."
Giroud will be eligible to play for Chelsea in their upcoming Champions League last-16 clash against Barcelona.
