BREAKING NEWS: Chelsea capture Brazil forward Alexandre Pato on loan

A member of Brazil’s 2009 Confederations Cup winning squad, Pato also has Bronze and Silver medals earned with the Samba Boys from the last two Olympic Games. He has 27 senior caps and 10 international goals, and may be targeting a call-up for the Copa America centenary this summer.

Pato compatriots already at Bridge

Despite the sale of Ramires to Jiangsu Suning this winter, Chelsea’s squad still contains a few of Pato’s fellow countrymen.

At Stamford Bridge, he will link up with Willian, Oscar and Kenedy – all of whom are set to help supply Pato with chances in front of goal.

Blues caretaker Guus Hiddink is short of striking options because Radamael Falcao, another South American loan signing, lacks any form or match fitness.

With Loic Remy linked with a move away from the Bridge, that leaves Brazilian-born Spain striker Diego Costa, who has had persistent hamstring issues over the last couple of years, as the only other option to lead the attack.

Pato had been at Sao Paulo

During a two-year temporary stint with Sao Paulo, Pato managed to net 38 goals in almost 100 appearances, but no permanent move materialised with the player reportedly seeking a return to Europe.

In five years with AC Milan (January 2008-2013), his 63 strikes in 150 outings helped the Rossoneri to the 2010/11 Serie A title. Pato turned out just 25 times following that Scudetto success, however.

The last striker with San Siro connections signed by Chelsea – a certain Andriy Shevchenko – turned out to be a flop. Pato now gets his chance to have a crack at the Premier League, and his Champions League experience will also be welcome.

Should this stint with the Blues prove successful, it may give Pato a platform to return as an international regular. Brazil boss Dunga has been experimenting with centre forwards, using the likes of 35-year-old Ricardo Oliveira and China-based Diego Tardelli in the last 12 months.

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