NAME:- Pierlugi Casiraghi

POSITION :-Striker

DATE OF BIRTH:-4.3.69

PLACE OF BIRTH:-Monza, Italy

DATE SIGNED:-29.5.98

FROM:-Lazio

HEIGHT :-6' 0''

WEIGHT:-12st 4lb

HISTORY : -

Club�����Transfer Fee�����League Apps

Chelsea����5,400,000

Lazio������������������������112

Juventus����������������������98

Monza�������������������������94

Casiraghi has set his sights on helping former team-mate Gianluca Vialli secure the FA Carling Premiership title after completing his record move to Chelsea. The 29-year-old striker switched from Lazio to Stamford Bridge for a club record �5.4million in a four-year deal. It reunites the Italian international with former Juventus colleague Vialli five years after the duo formed a formidable partnership in Turin. Casiraghi said ``It was important that Vialli was here and that was one of the reasons I decided to come. I played with Vialli for one year in Juventus and it was a great forward line." He joined Juventus at the age of 20 in 1989, going on to win two UEFA Cups, before moving to Lazio in 1993. During this time he also featured regularly in the Italian national side, collecting over 30 caps. Talking about the signing, Colin Hutchinson said: ``It is great news. I'm sure Chelsea fans will be happy to hear we're continuing to bring quality players to the club.''

NAME:- Albert Ferrer

POSITION :-Right Back

DATE OF BIRTH:-6.6.70

PLACE OF BIRTH:-Spain

DATE SIGNED:-9.6.98

FROM:-Barcelona

HEIGHT :-5' 7"

WEIGHT:-9st 6lb

HISTORY :-

Club������Transfer Fee��League Apps

Chelsea����2,200,000

Barcelona�trainee�������330

Ferrer is a renowned international having won 35 caps when he signed for Chelsea prior to France 98 . He's also achieved winner's medals for five Spanish League championships, two Cup Winners'Cups, the European Cup and an Olympic gold in 1992. Ferrer, who made 330 Spanish League and Cup appearances for Barcelona signed a five-year contract with the Blues. He is a product of the Barcelona youth team and is described as very quick and a tough tackler who has good ball control. Allied to strong defensive qualities, Ferrer likes to get forward and is an excellent crosser of the ball. Upon signing Ferrer said: ``I'm very, very happy. I've played in the Champions' League, but I think this will be a new experience for me and I think that experience will be very successful.

NAME:- Marcel Desailly

POSITION :-Central Defence / Midfield

DATE OF BIRTH:-7.9.68

PLACE OF BIRTH:-Accra, Ghana

DATE SIGNED:-10.6.98

FROM:-AC Milan

HEIGHT :-6' 1''

WEIGHT:-13st 5lb

HISTORY : -

Club������Transfer Fee����League Apps

Chelsea�����4,600,000

AC Milan������������������173

Olympique Marseille

The 29-year-old Desailly is equally at home in defence or midfield as he played in the middle of the park for Milan, while his country deploy him at centre-half. This was one of the major reasons why Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli bought him, with Desailly expecting to play in both positions at Stamford Bridge. ``In Milan I played midfield and I liked to play there, running and taking the ball from the other players,'' he said. ``But with the national team, the French people know me as a defender. ``In England they will know me like a defender and like a midfielder sometimes. Luca has told me he wants me to play in midfield and in defence.'' During his time at Milan Desailly won a clutch of medals including the Champions' League, and is excited at the prospect of playing in the Premiership. ``It's a really important thing in my career to go and play in England and it's a country which loves its soccer, I like the enthusiasm of the English crowds.''

NAME:-Bjarne Goldbaek

POSITION:-Attacking Midfielder Right

DATE SIGNED:-9-11-98

PLACE OF BIRTH:- Denmark

FROM:- FC Copenhagen