The 28-year-old international midfielder, who has worked in the past with compatriot Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho in Benfica and Porto, will have his contract reviewed at the end of the season and Chelsea will have to pay 5 million pounds (sterling) should they want to keep him.

Nuno Maniche (whose real name is Nuno Ricardo Oliveira Ribeiro) has just passed successfully the required tests from Chelsea's medical team, and his transfer was given the go-ahead from the Club. He is the only player who will be transfered to Chelsea during January's transfer window.

Portugal's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has included in his plans the 28-years-old international midfielder for Portugal's World Cup Finals Squad. He also played in the Euro 2004 final against Greece.

His primary duty will be to replace Michael Essien while he is injured and also substitute him in the Champions League clash against Barcelona, a two-leg game for which Essien is suspended from UEFA following his hard tackle on Dietmar Hamann.

After receiving offers from various European based Clubs, he declined all of them in favour of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea FC. The Portuguese international was also trying to move to a European Club which is still playing in UEFA's Champions League tournament.

Chelsea explained through it's website that as he has not played in a European tournament this season with Dynamo Moscow, he is eligible to play in the Champions League.

Maniche has many qualifications and awards in his carrer, as worldcuplatest.com already reported on its previous story related to the transfer, including a Champions League trophy with Jose Mourinho's Porto FC.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati