Chelsea signs Deco from Barcelona

English premier league giants Chelsea signed Portugal's Brazilian-born playmaker Deco from Barcelona on Monday, the day before Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari takes over as coach of the Premier League side.

Portugal midfielder Deco, pictured in 2007, has signed for Chelsea, the English Premiership club said on Monday, for eight million pounds (10.1 million euros). AFP/File/Josep Lago)

The 30-year-old midfielder is close to Scolari, who coached him with the Portugal national side, taking them to the Euro 2004 final and the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 earlier this month before signing for the London side. More importantly for last season's beaten Champions League finalists is Deco's experience in Europe's top club competition, which Chelsea have never won.

Deco won the Champions League title with Porto in 2004 under Jose Mourinho, who was later to become Chelsea coach, and then with Barcelona in 2006.