Chelsea have signed midfielder Danny Drinkwater from Leicester City for £35m. The 27-year-old was a key part of the Foxes side that won the Premier League in 2015-16, but asked to leave the club amid interest from the Blues, according to the BBC. Chelsea have also signed defender DavideZappacosta from Torino on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Drinkwater played in 35 of Leicester's 38 league games in their title-winning season and formed an impressive midfield partnership with N'GoloKante, who joined the London club last July. He has yet to play this season because of a thigh injury.
The England midfielder, who joined the Foxes in 2012 from Manchester United, has won three England caps since making his international debut in March 2016. "I'm delighted to be a Chelsea player and can't wait to get started," said Drinkwater. "It has been a long journey to get here but I am very happy and am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies."
Drinkwater will wear the No.6 shirt at Stamford Bridge, while ex-Torino defender Zappacosta has been handed the No.21 jersey for the season. The pair joined Chelsea late on Aug 31 for a combined £58m as reported by the Sun.
Zappacosta has been capped four times by Italy, with Blues boss Conte handing him his first call-up to the national squad in May 2016.
The 25-year-old full-back joined Torino from Atalanta in 2015 and made 29 Serie A appearances last season. "I hope I can show my quality to the coach, my team-mates and the supporters," said Zappacosta.
And, they could have been joined by a few more players too, with Everton playmaker Ross Barkley pulling an outrageous U-turn during his Stamford Bridge medical.
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain snubbed the Premier League champions in favour of a move to Liverpool.
While Tottenham pinched striker Fernando Llorente from Swansea right under Antonio Conte's nose. However, Drinkwater and Zappacosta should both prove to be good signings for Chelsea as they embark on their Champions League campaign, with both players excited to be along for the ride.
