 OFFICIAL:Chelsea have completed the signing of Batshuayi from Marseille The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract. A powerful, fast striker, the highly coveted Batshuayi moves to Stamford Bridge having developed a reputation as a fine finisher following spells in France and Belgium. Skilful and with the ability to beat opposing defenders with his quick feet, he is a threat in the air and also comfortable holding the ball up and linking the play. He was part of the Belgium squad at Euro 2016 and netted with his first touch on his tournament debut last Sunday, converting a cross from his new Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard in a 4-0 win over Hungary. Batshuayi said: ‘I am delighted to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and embark on the next chapter in my career. I hope I can help Chelsea win many trophies during my time at Stamford Bridge. ‘Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have told me many good things about the club, and with Antonio Conte coming in it's an exciting time to become a Chelsea player. ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for myself and my family, I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League next season. Born in Brussels, Batshuayi played youth football across Belgium before beginning his professional career at Standard Liege in 2011, making his first-team debut for the club aged 18. His first goal was an important one, the winner away at Copenhagen in the 2011/12 Europa League and a strike which sent Standard Liege through to the knockout rounds of the competition.After scoring a brace in a Belgian Cup tie a week later, Batshuayi’s first league goal came in a 6-1 win over Germinal, but if his first season featuring regularly was predominantly about integration and adaptation, his second was one of real progression as the youngster began to find the net on a more consistent basis and became an important member of the side.Batshuayi’s fast-growing reputation was enhanced further during the 2013/14 campaign when he finished as the second-highest scorer in the Belgian league, as well as hitting his first professional hat-trick in a 4-2 win against Oostende. It was no surprise when Marseille came calling, and Batshuayi made the switch to Ligue 1 in the summer of 2014, making his debut as a replacement for Dimitri Payet on the first day of the season, before opening his account in a League Cup match against Rennes.During his maiden campaign at the Stade Velodrome the youngster was used mainly as an impact substitute, but his ability to affect the game was evident on more than one occasion. Away at St-Etienne, Batshuayi scored twice within five minutes of coming on in a 2-2 draw, and another brace followed in a 4-0 win over Lens after he was introduced at the break. His goals that season contributed to Marseille qualifying for the Europa League.
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