Football: Chelsea swoop for Hajduk's Pasalic

In this file picture taken on May 31, 2014, Croatia's midfielder Mario Pasalic listens to the national anthem before the start of the 2014 World Cup international friendly football match against Mali in Osijek. Chelsea signed Pasalic from Hajduk
In this file picture taken on May 31, 2014, Croatia's midfielder Mario Pasalic listens to the national anthem before the start of the 2014 World Cup international friendly football match against Mali in Osijek. Chelsea signed Pasalic from Hajduk Split for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday. -- PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea signed teenage Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic from Hajduk Split for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday.

He was due to join Jose Mourinho's squad for their first pre-season training session later on Wednesday after arriving at the Premier League club's Cobham headquarters.

The 19-year-old is regarded as a dynamic young talent and has already featured in his country's Under-21 team.

He was also named in Croatia's provisional 30-man World Cup squad, but did not make the final cut for the tournament in Brazil and has yet to make his senior international debut.

"I am very happy because I am now a Chelsea player," Pasalic told Chelsea's website.

"I am very impressed by the training ground and I must thank everybody at Hajduk. This is now a new start in my career.

"I am a central midfielder, my favourite player is Frank Lampard, and so I am very happy to be a Chelsea player."

The German-born youngster came to Chelsea's attention after enjoying a fine first full season in senior football during 2013-14.

He scored 11 times in 36 appearances in all competitions and helped Hajduk to a third-place finish in the Croatian league.

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