The talented playmaker had recently been told by the Catalan club he did not feature in their future plans and had been linked with a move to the Blues regularly in recent years.

And Chelsea confirmed on Monday night the 30-year-old has agreed the move to Stamford Bridge, becoming the club's first signing since Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was appointed manager.

The west Londoners are expected to confirm they have paid £8million to sign the two-time Champions League winner on a two-year deal.

second signing

The Brazil-born player told the club's official website: "It is good for me to be here and first of all I am very happy to be here.

"It is great that we have so many great players here at Chelsea and it is great that there is the competition which is healthy for everybody and this just makes the team better.

"To have great players in any position of the club just enhances the club.

"I know it is a new challenge but I am looking forward to it."

Deco's arrival is Chelsea's second signing of the summer after international team-mate Jose Bosingwa.

www.chelseafc.com