Papy Djilobodji has joined Chelsea, the club have confirmed.

Djilobodji makes the switch to Stamford Bridge from Ligue 1 outfit Nantes, costing the Blues £4 million in the process, and has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with his new club.

The 26-year-old is primarily a centre-back, but can also operate in a defensive midfield role if required. He leaves the France after five years on the books at Nantes, during which he played 171 league games, scoring nine goals.

Chelsea looking to bolster unconvincing back line

Chelsea have already conceded nine goals in their opening four games of the new season, the second-highest total in the Premier League, with only bottom side Sunderland boasting a worse defensive record so far.

With just one of these four games resulting in victory, Jose Mourinho has been keen to improve his back line before the window shuts, publicly pursuing England international John Stones of Everton.

However, despite the reigning Premier League champions offering the Toffees £30 million for the 21-year-old, Roberto Martinez has stood firm in telling the Blues that Stones is not for sale, forcing Mourinho and his team to look elsewhere.

Thus, they have acquired the services of Djilobodji instead, for a much cheaper price.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website about the transfer, the defender said that he is "very happy to sign for a big club," adding that he "want[s] to do [his] best to help the team win titles." He then concluded his short statement by "thank[ing] the club for giving [him] this opportunity."

Mourinho could yet secure another defensive signing before the deadline

Though there is just over an hour remaining before the transfer deadline in England, Chelsea could still add another player to their back line, with them set to sign Reading's Michael Hector, also for a fee of £4 million.

However, this would be a signing for the future, with BBC Sport understanding that the 23-year-old would then be loaned back out to the Royals for the 2015-16 season.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]