• Premier League

Chelsea miss out on Taison as Shakhtar pounce

ESPN staff
January 11, 2013
Taison (R) has joined Shakhtar Donetsk © Getty Images
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Chelsea have lost out in the race to sign Metalist Kharkiv midfielder Taison after Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed they had signed the Brazilian on a five-year deal.

Taison looked to be heading to Stamford Bridge after holding talks with the club, but the Ukrainian champions used a clause in his contract to sign him for €15 million (£12.5 million)

A Shakhtar press release stated: "The Shakhtar and Metalist presidents negotiated his move from Kharkiv to Donetsk on Thursday. An initial €11.3m offer was turned down by Metalist, so Donetsk decided to use the buyout clause."

Taison, who joined Metalist from Internacional in 2010, will join eight fellow Brazilians including Willian and Luis Adriano at the Donbass Arena.

"I am happy to play for such a great club," Taison told the club's official website. "I played a lot against Shakhtar and I have a lot of information about them. I know Shakhtar's Brazilians. I really want to help the club win new titles.

"I'll train and work, respecting everyone who plays for the club. In the first place I have respect for all. Of course, I will try to play as best I can.

"It was the right choice, despite the fact that I was happy at Metalist, with whom I achieved a lot. And I want to again thank the entire team, coaches, staff of the Kharkiv club. But having joined Shakhtar, I understand what this club is all about."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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