Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Chelsea Sign Barcelona Starlet Oriol Romeu

Chelsea has completed the signing of Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu in a four-year contract, according to thesun.co.uk.

Chelsea has been in the pursuit of the Spanish midfielder for quite some time and finally secured his services.

After Fabregas's saga, Barcelona started inserting buyback clauses in the contracts of important youth talents they sell. They inserted a buyback clause for Bojan Krick and Jeffren Suarez earlier in this transfer window.

This has been the case with Romeu too as Barcelona has inserted two buyback clauses in his contract. Chelsea paid £4.35 million for Romeu and Barcelona can buy him next year for £8.7 million or in the year after for £13 million.

Romeu said: "Chelsea is a great option for me. Leaving Barca hurts, but you have to take your chances."

The 19-year-old plays the holding role but is also comfortable at the back and his arrival will soften the blow of losing Michael Essien to injury for the first half of the season.

New Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas said last month: "It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien's injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player."

Romeu made his senior debut for Barcelona at the end of last season and has played the full 90 minutes of the Spanish youngsters' two games in Colombia—beating Costa Rica 4-1 and Ecuador 2-0.

Romeu, who can also play in central defense, will join up with Chelsea after the U-20 World Cup, which ends August 20.

He will wear the number six shirt.