Stanic had been playing for Italian side Parma but has left the Serie A side for a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

I have won the Super Cup, Uefa Cup and the Italian Cup but I think I will win more at Chelsea

Mario Stanic

The 28-year-old is a goal-scoring midfielder who can also play in attack.

He scored 25 times in 109 appearances for Parma and was a member of his country's World Cup squad which finished third in 1998.

Stanic said: "I know every player but, now, I think it is not fair to speak about some players - I see Chelsea as a good team.

"I have won the Super Cup, Uefa Cup and the Italian Cup but I think I will win more at Chelsea.

"I think I can play in two, or a maximum of three positions - right side, or striker, or a little bit behind the striker - but the decision will be from the coach.

"I spoke via telephone (with Vialli) two times and now everything is finished I hope to enjoy my holidays and then return to work."

Stanic also figured in Euro 96 when Croatia made the quarter-finals.

He is due to make a low-key first run-out for the Blues - in a pre-season friendly at Kingstonian on 22 July.