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Chelsea have signed England full-back Ashley Cole from Arsenal in exchange for £5m and France defender William Gallas.
The deal was completed just before Thursday’s midnight deadline and ends a long running saga that stretches back to January 2005 when Cole met Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho without the permission of his club.
Cole was subsequently fined for attending the meeting, and his days at Arsenal have look numbered ever since.
The 29-year-old Gallas had one year left on his contract but , lilke Cole, he had made it clear he did not want to remain with his club.
The French international did not turn up to pre-season training on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States and was not given a shirt number this season.
Both players are eligible to play in the Champions League for their new teams.
A joint statement from the clubs said: “Chelsea FC and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas.
“Chelsea will also pay Arsenal £5m. Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals.”
Gallas, a £6m signing from Marseille, made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea in five years, while Cole, who came through the ranks at Arsenal, made 228 appearances for the Gunners since making his debut in 2000.
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