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Baba impressed during his time in the Bundesliga. Matthias Schrader

Chelsea splash €20 million on defender after Manchester City drubbing

The deal was confirmed shortly after the full-time whistle today.

SHORTLY AFTER SUFFERING a heavy defeat at the Ethiad Stadium, Chelsea confirmed the capture of defender Abdul Rahman Baba from Augsburg for a fee reported to be in the region of €20 million.

The 21-year-old moves to Stamford Bridge in the wake of Chelsea’s 3-0 reversal to Manchester City and will bolster Jose Mourinho’s defensive ranks.

The Ghana international cost just €2.5 million when he joined Augsburg last year from German second-division club Greuther Fuerth, who are now set to get a 25 percent share from his sale to Chelsea.

Baba passed a medical on Saturday and is off to battle for the Blues’ left-back berth following the departure of Brazil defender Filipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid after only one season in England.

“I have to take this opportunity to play at a top club in England, even if I had planned on a long-term stay at Augsburg only a year ago,” Baba told the club’s official website.

Rahman has made 13 appearances for the Black Stars and played in the African Cup of Nations defeat to the Ivory Coast on penalties in the final in January.

“It is important because he is a left-back, so he can compete with (Cesar) Azpilicueta,” Mourinho said.

“At the same time, Azpilicueta can compete with (Branislav) Ivanovic for the right-back position, so he replaces Filipe Luis in the balance of the squad.”

- © AFP, 2015

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