Premier League giants Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid.
His transfer was confirmed on Monday evening after his loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
The 25-year-old spent the whole of last season on loan at Chelsea as part of the transfer that took Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid last summer.
Belgian international Courtois joined Real Madrid in a £35m deal with one year left on his then contract at Chelsea.
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The West London giants have been able to sign Croatian international Kovacic to a permanent transfer despite the transfer ban hanging over their head.
Chelsea had previously registered Mateo Kovacic while he was on loan meaning that they were able to turn it into a permanent transfer for around £40m despite the ban.
The Blues might sit out the next two transfer windows (including this summer’s transfer window) after they were slammed with a two-window transfer ban for irregularities relating to the signing of underage players.
Chelsea have already submitted an appeal against the transfer ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
Mateo Kovacic was a regular fixture for Chelsea in the last campaign including 32 league appearances as the Blues finished the season in third position.
