Ranieri joy at 'fantastic' Robben

Chelsea have pulled off an audacious transfer coup by signing Dutch sensation Arjen Robben for £12million.

The 20-year-old winger had a medical in London yesterday and will join Chelsea at the end of June.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said: "This is a great signing for Chelsea. Arjen is a top-quality player who will become a major asset for our club in the years ahead. For his age, he shows great maturity and mental strength to go with his natural footballing skills.

"It's an excellent example of how Chelsea is appealing to the new wave of European talent and our commitment to bring the best young players to Stamford Bridge as well cultivate the best, young English talent."

Claudio Ranieri added: "Arjen will be a fantastic addition to our squad. He is quick, strong, scores goals, makes goals. He can do everything. His style is perfect for the Premier League."

Robben's signature takes Chelsea's spending under Roman Abramovich to £140m in eight months and is a huge victory over United, who courted the youngster for much of the season.

The Dutch international, a left-winger who can also play up front, was expected to move to Old Trafford in the summer after being given a personal tour of the club by Sir Alex Ferguson. Chelsea appear to have benefited from bad blood between Ferguson and PSV, who were furious when Robben visited United's training ground without their knowledge in January. The transfers of Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy to Old Trafford also soured relations between the clubs, with PSV accusing United of making illegal approaches and using underhand tactics.

The Dutch club have been completely happy with Chelsea's advances, though, first revealed by Standard Sport in January. Then acting chief executive Paul Smith flew to Eindhoven to meet PSV chairman Harry van Raaij as the transfer window was drawing to a close and Kenyon completed the deal over the weekend.