Chelsea have sealed a shock £4.5million deal for Reading centre back Michael Hector after gazumping Crystal Palace for his signature.
Palace
had registered an interest in the Jamaica international on Tuesday
morning but the Barclays Premier League champions launched a late move
for the 23-year-old after Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo
scouted him in recent weeks.
Chelsea have sent Hector back to the Madejski Stadium on loan until the end of the season.
Michael Hector poses with his Chelsea shirt after he was signed by the club and loaned back to Reading
Hector, a Chelsea fan, has posted pictures of himself wearing a Blues shirt on social media in the past
Michael Hector has signed for Chelsea from Championship outfit Reading in a deal worth £4.5m
Hector (centre) has returned to the Madejski Stadium on loan once the move to Chelsea is completed
Hector, a former Millwall trainee, has had 11 loan spells since joining Reading in 2009.
These stints include time with non-League clubs Bracknell Town, Havant & Waterlooville and Horsham.
Earlier this summer, he signed a new three-year deal with the Royals after impressing in his first full season in their side.
He has made 63 appearances in all competitions including five this season.
Hector's
arrival will be Chelsea's second defensive reinforcement on transfer
deadline day following the arrival of Papy Djilobodji on a four-year
deal.
The
Premier League champions made their move for the 26-year-old after
seeing their overtures for Everton's John Stones repeatedly rebuffed.
Chelsea have conceded nine goals in four games in accruing four points to sit eight adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Chelsea moved for the 27-year-old after their overtures for Everton's John Stones (above) were rebuffed
Ligue 1 club Nantes said in a statement on their website:
'FC Nantes, Chelsea and Papy Djilobodji have reached an agreement for
the transfer of the Senegalese international. Papy Djilobodji is a
player of Blues for the next four seasons.
'FC Nantes extends its congratulations and wishes him well for the rest of his career.'
Reports
in the French media on Monday said a deal of around £2.2m for
Djilobodji. It is less than 10 per cent of the sum offered for Stones.
It
has been reported other Premier League clubs rejected the opportunity
to sign him, but now he is playing for the defending champions and in
the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho was desperate to sign a defender with the clock ticking in the summer transfer window
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