Chelsea complete Djilobodji deal as loan list grows

Djilobodji's departure from Ligue 1 for Stamford Bridge was confirmed by Nantes before the Premier League champions announced the deal.

The 26-year-old Senegal international defender has signed a four-year contract with Jose Mourinho's side.

Djilobodji said on chelseafc.com: "I'm very happy to sign for a big club like Chelsea and I want to do my best to help the team win titles. I want to thank the club for giving me this opportunity."

Chelsea made their move for Djilobodji after being repeatedly rebuffed by Everton over John Stones.

Another defender was expected to move to Chelsea on Tuesday, with Michael Hector anticipated to sign from Reading.

The Championship club, managed by former Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke, were likely to loan the defender straight back.

That would take the number of Blues players on loan to 32 after Victor Moses and Islam Feruz departed on Tuesday.

Moses signed a four-year deal before moving to West Ham for the season and Feruz has joined Scottish Championship side Hibernian for the campaign.

Chelsea were roundly praised for their early purchases in summer 2014 of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, but many supporters will be underwhelmed by this summer's transfer activity.

Rumoured interest in Paul Pogba of Juventus refuses to subside, but it is highly unlikely the astronomical fee required to land the Frenchman - in the region of £70million - will be paid on Tuesday.

And an astonishing last-minute U-turn from Everton would be needed for the Blues to return for Stones, who could still be a target in January or next summer.

The Blues have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, left-back Baba Rahman and striker Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco - all like-for-like replacements for the departed Petr Cech, Filipe Luis and Didier Drogba.

Pedro was added from Barcelona and Brazilian teenager Kenedy joined.

Mourinho insisted Chelsea would not panic in the closing hours of the transfer window and Djilobodji appears likely to be the only first-team acquisition.

The Blues have conceded nine goals in four games in accruing four points to sit eight adrift of leaders Manchester City.

Djilobodji had one year remaining on his Nantes contract and his switch to Chelsea was unexpected.

Reports in the French media on Monday said a deal of around three million euros (£2.2m) for Djilobodji. It is less than 10 per cent of the sum offered for Stones.

It has been reported that other Premier League clubs rejected the opportunity to sign him, but now he is playing for the defending champions and in the Champions League.

He may represent little more than a fall-back option as his pedigree is not quite at the standard Mourinho would wish for.

Chelsea also announced Izzy Brown, currently on loan for the season at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland, has signed a four-year contract.