Chelsea confirm signing of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal to replace Borussia Dortmund-bound Michy Batshuayi

Giroud leaves as a result of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's move to the Gunners earlier in the day

Giroud joined Chelsea on a 18-month contract (Getty)

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud for £18m on an 18-month contract.

Giroud played his final game for Arsenal on Tuesday night as he came off the bench during the Gunners' 3-1 defeat to Swansea City but has now joined the Premier League champions as part of a deadline-day striker domino.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's move from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal was confirmed this morning with the second part of the merry-go-round now complete with Giroud confirmed as a Chelsea player. The final deal will now see Michy Batshuayi, Chelsea's current back-up striker to Alvaro Morata, fill the void left by Aubameyang's exit at Dortmund.

Giroud said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League. They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years. It’s a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea, and I’m looking forward to playing.”

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “Olivier is a proven talent at the top level and we are very pleased to call him a Chelsea player.

“He has scored goals regularly throughout his career and is well accustomed to English football and the Premier League. We are sure he will be a fantastic signing.”

Speaking on Tuesday night about Giroud, Wenger said: “It's a tribute to Olivier (that he played) because he is a guy who gave great service to the club, he never let us down on the commitment front and saved us many times.

“I took him from Montpellier and made him a strong international player for France. We have come together through good and bad but always his behaviour was top, top class.”