• Premier League

Meireles in late Chelsea move, Bellamy to Reds

ESPNsoccernet staff
August 31, 2011
Raul Meireles joined Liverpool from Porto in 2010 © PA Photos
Enlarge

Liverpool's Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles completed a move to Chelsea after handing in a written transfer request with less than an hour of the window remaining.

In an echo of Fernando Torres' January switch to Stamford Bridge, Meireles declared his desire to leave Anfield with the transfer window set to draw to a close.

Chelsea reportedly had a bid rejected for Meireles on Tuesday but, having seemingly missed out on Tottenham's Luka Modric, met Liverpool's asking price.

A statement read: ''Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Raul Meireles from Liverpool on a four-year contract.''

The news arrived just as the club has announced the signing of Craig Bellamy on a two-year deal, a return to Anfield, where he left in 2007 after a short spell at the club.

Bellamy joins for an undisclosed transfer fee, from Manchester City, who were keen to remove a player they spent £14 million in 2009.

In a brief statement the club said: ''Liverpool have tonight announced Craig Bellamy has signed a contract with the club. He will wear shirt No. 39.''

Bellamy's return to Anfield comes four years after he left having been brought to the club 12 months earlier by Rafael Benitez.

He scored nine goals in 42 matches but off-field issues, most notably an infamous incident with a golf club and team-mate John Arne Riise and a strained relationship with Benitez, contributed to his departure to West Ham.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices