The 24-year-old signed a five year contract after passing his medical becoming Chelsea's second signing - Glen Johnson having signed on Tuesday - since Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club for 140million pounds a fortnight ago.

Geremi had been a target of Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri last year but a shortage of funds prevented him from signing him and he went to Middlesbrough instead on loan where his impressive performances were a big reason they weren't involved in their perennial relagation battle.

"I'm very happy to come and play for one of the biggest teams in the Premier League," Geremi told Chelsea TV.

"I've got a lot of ambition and I would like to win a lot of titles if it's possible - and that's why I've come here.

"Chelsea want to sign big players and that is good for us - when you play with big players it is much easier. They can understand everything.

"You have to work hard and try to improve every day. Now let's see what will happen."

Geremi enjoyed a successful time at Real Madrid winning the 2000 Champions League and the 2001 league title and was also a member of the Cameroon team that won the African Nations Cup and the 2000 Olympics title.