England international winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on Monday completed his move to English Premiership champions Chelsea on a five-year contract, the club confirmed.
Wright-Phillips — who was also a transfer target for Arsenal — joins Chelsea on a £21-million deal after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical on Monday afternoon.
The 23-year-old, who was due to fly out with the rest of the team to the United States on Tuesday, revealed his hunger to win trophies convinced him to join Chelsea from Manchester City.
”Chelsea are a club that are going somewhere and winning things — I just want to win a lot of medals and Chelsea are doing that at the moment and will do for a long time,” he told Chelsea TV.
”I just want to try and get some medals and be a regular part of the team. I want to play well for myself and for the fans, and for the coaching staff.”
The rivalry for places in Chelsea’s attack is fierce but as both Arjen Robben and Damien Duff are injury-prone, Wright-Phillips is looking to press his claim for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.
And the former Nottingham Forest trainee insists he is relishing the chance to compete with the likes of Robben and Duff for a place, and believes his versatility could give him an edge.
”When I was growing up I learned to play a lot of positions because I thought it would help my position naturally and I suppose it has worked. I can play anywhere across the midfield and up front as well.
”I don’t mind using a bit of trickery, I don’t mind taking a kick and I get straight back up, and I like to score as well.
”Competition is fine by me; I never expected to be in anywhere and walk into any team, to be honest with you. Competition is healthy and it will help make me a better player.”
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon added: ”We’re delighted that Shaun has joined us. He’ll be a fantastic asset to the team and squad. This carries on the Chelsea policy of investing in young, top English talent.”
Wright-Phillips, who is the adopted son of former England striker Ian Wright, joined City’s youth academy in July 1998 after being released as a 16-year-old by Nottingham Forest for being ”too small”.
The London-born star, who scored on his England debut with a spectacular strike in the win against Ukraine at St James’ Park in August last year, had three years remaining on his contract at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Wright-Phillips has won four England caps and made more than 180 appearances for City since his debut in August 1999.
He was City’s joint highest scorer last season with 11 goals.
Wright-Phillips, who becomes the club’s second-most-expensive signing behind £24-million recruit Didier Drogba, has asked for squad number 24.
He explained: ”It’s the date my son was born. He loves football.”
He could feature in a Blues shirt as early as next Sunday when the club face AC Milan in the opening match of their pre-season tour to the US. — Sapa-AFP