New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on Monday hailed the arrival of striker Mateja Kezman at the club after the Serbian’s move from PSV Eindhoven was sealed with the approval of a work permit.
Kezman (25), rated as one of the top strikers in Europe, agreed to move to Stamford Bridge last week for an undisclosed fee, but his work permit was only granted on Monday.
”I like him because he is a team player,” Mourinho said. ”He has the motivation to come to the top league in the world and that, along with his scoring record, makes him a good player for me.”
Kezman scored 105 goals in 122 matches for PSV in his four years in Eindhoven, including 35 in 33 games in the 2002/03 season.
Before that, he made his name with spells at FK Loznica, Sartid 1913 Smederevo and Partizan Belgrade.
”I’m very glad that I’m here,” Kezman said after training with the squad on Monday. ”It’s a fantastic club with a great history and has a good team.
”I’ve got the best record in the history of the club [PSV]. I just need some time and supporters need to be patient, but I’m sure it’ll be okay.”
Kezman will face competition for places up front at Chelsea from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Adrian Mutu and Hernan Crespo, though the Argentine, linked with a move back to Italy, has been set a deadline of 10 days from now to decide his future. — Sapa-DPA