Filipe Luis to Chelsea: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Chelsea have finally captured left-back Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid, as reported by the English club's official Twitter account:    

The team announced the signing on Friday: 

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Chelsea Football club is delighted to announce the signing of Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian defender has signed a three-year contract and will wear the no.5 shirt.

On signing, the 28-year-old said: 'This move is a dream come true for me. I now have the opportunity to play for Chelsea, and also in the Premier League.

‘I’m very happy and looking forward to getting started and giving my best for the team during the coming seasons.’

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This is Jose Mourinho's second summer signing from the Spanish champions after Diego Costa's deal was confirmed, as reported by Sky Sports. Tiago Mendes is also expected to complete the same switch, as noted by the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson.

Luis completed a medical on Tuesday, according to The Times (via Jack Wilson of the Daily Star), which notes Diego Simeone's club have already replaced the outgoing defender with Granada's Guilherme Siqueira.

Simon Jones of the Daily Mail describes a "drawn out" transfer that will cost Chelsea in the region of £20 million. Luis was reportedly ordered to train with the reserves after expressing his desire to leave, but as the 2014-15 season approaches, he will begin the pre-season working with Mourinho's developing Blues squad.

Luis offers an instant replacement for Ashley Cole, who joined Roma after becoming a free agent, as reported by The Guardian.

The Atletico favourite, who was left out of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazilian World Cup squad, will go head-to-head with converted right-back Cesar Azpilicueta for a place in Mourinho's starting lineup. His hefty £20 million fee appears necessary after Atletico "refused" to let him leave until Chelsea agreed to meet the player's buyout clause, as per Jones.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Although quite a commitment—Luis will be 29 by the time the season starts—Mourinho has gained another world-class defender to pad out his squad. Thore Haugstad, editor of the official 2014 FIFA World Cup Magazine, underlines the quality Mourinho now has at his disposal: 

Janusz Michallik of ESPN FC also believes Mourinho is strengthening in the right areas, while Rik Sharma of the Daily Mail suggests Chelsea's defence is to be feared:

Luis made a combined total of 42 appearances along Atletico's route to the domestic title and Champions League final, gaining many admirers for his strong tackling skills, attacking ambition and concentration when under pressure, as per WhoScored.com.

He has the natural confidence to excel in front of the Stamford Bridge crowd, who are used to watching one of the sport's best full-backs. Although Cole's dominance is sure to be missed, Luis' well-rounded game will provide Chelsea with a real spark ahead of a challenging 2014-15 campaign.