Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Chelsea win race to sign Marseille and Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi

Chelsea have completed the signing of sought-after Belgium international striker Michy Batshuayi from Marseille.

Batshuayi, 22, has signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and joins for an undisclosed fee.

"I am delighted to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and embark on the next chapter in my career," he told the club's official website.

"I hope I can help Chelsea win many trophies during my time at Stamford Bridge.

"[Fellow Belgium internationals] Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have told me many good things about the club, and with Antonio Conte coming in it's an exciting time to become a Chelsea player.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for myself and my family, I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League next season."

Batshuayi underwent a medical at Belgium's training base in Bordeaux before agreeing the deal, becoming Chelsea's first signing since the appointment of Antonio Conte as first-team head coach in April.

Batshuayi -- who scored 17 goals for Marseille as they finished 13th in Ligue 1 last season -- had earlier posted a goodbye message to the French club's fans, writing: "I hope I can keep making you proud with my new club, and will continue to follow closely the results of OM. I hope the club can recover the results they deserve."

Crystal Palace had reportedly had a £31.6 million bid accepted for Batshuayi on Monday, while West Ham United and Juventus were also said to have registered serious interest in signing him this summer.

Batshuayi came off the bench to score with his first touch at Euro 2016 in the 4-0 rout of Hungary last weekend.

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