Chelsea complete loan signing of striker Pato

LONDON: Chelsea completed the loan signing of Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato until the end of the season. The 26-year-old Pato joins from Corinthians following previously spells with Sao Paulo and AC Milan. “I am so happy to sign for Chelsea. It is a dream for me. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know my new team-mates and cannot wait to play,” Pato said Friday after completing his move.”I thank Chelsea for their support and hope I can repay this faith to the club and its fans,” Pato added. Defending Premier League champion Chelsea has struggled for form this season and is currently 13th in the standings with Jose Mourinho having been sacked in December, seven months after he led them to the title. Interim manager Guus Hiddink does not think Pato’s arrival is a risk, with the Brazilian international joining a forward line alongside Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao. “It’s not a gamble. Coming on loan makes it possible to view if he can adapt to the league,” Hiddink said.— AP