Chelsea get their man as Wesley Fofana becomes football's third most expensive defender

Chelsea have signed Wesley Fofana from Leicester, taking their total summer spending close to £250m.

A little over 24 hours before the transfer deadline, the Premier League clubs announced a deal had finally been reached.

The French centre back had to pass his medical in the United States, with new Blues owner Todd Boehly wanting reassurances over a leg break that forced Fofana out of most of last season.

The move for Fofana has dominated much of the transfer window with Thomas Tuchel's side submitting multiple offers for the 21-year-old's services.

After the Foxes rebuffed Chelsea's advances, Fofana was left out of the team for the Premier League clashes against his suitors, and also Southampton.

"The two last days have been really big days for me and I'm very happy," the player said upon his deal being confirmed.

"I trained this morning with the team and it's a dream for me. I'm very excited to start playing games for the fans and the club.

"I'm here win trophies - the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, everything. I came here to win and the club is built to win trophies so I'm here to continue that."

Chelsea had been desperately searching for reinforcements in defence after losing regular starters Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer.

The Blues had already landed Kalidou Koulibaly at centre back from Napoli for £33m, and left sided defender Marc Cucurella for £62m from Brighton, with Fofana now completing their back line.

Other deals for Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka and Gabriel Slonina takes their spending well past the £200m mark and closer to £250m, showing new owner Boehly is not afraid to back his manager in his first transfer window, with the club also chasing Anthony Gordon from Everton.

The fee, though undisclosed, is thought to be around £70m, making Fofana the third-most expensive defender in football history, behind Virgil van Dijk for £75m and Harry Maguire who Leicester got £80m for.

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly added: "Wesley is a hugely promising defender who has already proven his quality in the Premier League at a young age.

"We are delighted we were able to bring one of Europe's most exciting talents to Chelsea and further strengthen that area of our squad, both for this season and many more to come."

His move to Chelsea seems to have been years in the making. Growing up, he idolised striker Didier Drogba, then of Marseille, and wanted to be a goal scorer just like his hero and even wanted to sign for Chelsea as a boy because of the Stamford Bridge hero.

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers was hoping for a similar fee for Fofana that the club received for Maguire, but now with some cash in the bank the club may be able to spend money for the first time this summer.