By BlueBlood
June 29 2005

Mateja Kezman has been sold to Atlético Madrid for a fee of eight million euros.

Kezman joins the Primera Liga club on a three year deal and was introduced at the Vicente Calderòn Stadium in Madrid this afternoon, Wednesday.

The Serbian international has spent one year at Chelsea during which time he won Premier League championship and Carling Cup winner medals. But after a bright pre-season he was unable to establish himself in the side and started only 14 games while being a substitute in 27 others.

He scored seven goals including the third in the Carling Cup Final. Despite his lack of goals his determined spirit resulted in loud support from the fans whenever he took to the pitch, and a much enjoyed moment in the last minute at home to Newcastle when he converted a penalty with an audacious chip at the Matthew Harding end.

His finest 90 minutes was undoubtedly the home UEFA Champions League game with Barcelona when he led the line in the suspended absence of Didier Drogba and with Eidur Gudjohnsen being used as an attacking midfielder. Although he didn’t score he was crucial in the build-up to the first and third goals.

Partly because of the form of his colleagues he never managed to start more than two games in a row and was unable to build a level of form to compete for a place in the starting line-up, but his involvement in Chelsea’s double trophy season is much respected by everyone at the club and he leaves with thanks and best wishes for his future.

At Atlético Madrid he will join the former Chelsea winger Jesper Grønkjær.