Antonio Conte joins Chelsea: Statement in full as Italy coach signs three-year contract at Stamford Bridge

The Italy coach spoke of his admiration for the Premier League and excitement before taking over at Stamford Bridge

Incoming Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte (Getty)

Chelsea have confirmed that Antonio Conte will take over as head coach from the start of the 2016/17 season.

The Italy coach joins the Stamford Bridge club on a three-year contract and will take over following this summer’s European Championship in France.

Conte, who previously won three Serie A titles during a three-year spell at Juventus, used his first statement as Chelsea head coach to show his admiration for the Premier League and reveal his excitement ahead of taking over at the west London club.

“I am very excited about the prospect of working at Chelsea Football Club,” he said. “I am proud to be the coach of the national team of my country and only a role as attractive as manager of Chelsea could follow that.

“I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the club and the day-to-day challenge of competing in the Premier League.

“Chelsea and English football are watched wherever you go, the fans are passionate and my ambition is to have more success to follow the victories I enjoyed in Italy.

“I am happy we have made the announcement now so everything is clear and we can end the speculation. I will continue to focus on my job with the Italian national team and will reserve speaking about Chelsea again until after the Euros.”

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia reveals that the club’s hierarchy are delighted to welcome Conte to the club, but also thanked interim manager Guus Hiddink for his work in the second half of the season.

“We are very pleased to have recruited one of the most highly regarded managers in world football and we are equally pleased to do so before the end of the current season. This aids our future planning.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Guus Hiddink, who has done a great job since he joined us in December.”

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck also praised Conte’s record and welcomed him to the club.

“Antonio Conte has a record of consistent success in his career as a manager and as a player,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge and are confident he will find all he needs to maintain that high standard of achievement.’”