Breaking: Chelsea announced the signing of Biemoue Bakayoko from Monaco on 5yrs contract (Details, pics)

Chelsea announced the signing of AS Monaco defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko on Saturday, with the Frenchman penning a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

Bakayoko arrived from Stade Louis II after three seasons with Monaco, and the 22-year-old—who will wear the No. 14 in west London—said:"I am very happy to be here and to join this great team. I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood.

"I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach and alongside so many great team-mates."

Despite his age, Bakayoko has already established himself as an accomplished player.He played a key role in Leonardo Jardim's impressive young Monaco side that won Ligue 1 in 2016-17 and made the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.As well as boasting all the traditional qualities of a solid central player—physicality, strength in the tackle, intelligence—Bakayoko is also more than capable advancing forward on the ball.