Chelsea transfer news: Djordje Petrovic has announced his new Premier League squad number, however it wasn't his first choice due to Premier League rules
It comes after the Blues have announced the signing of the goalkeeper from New England Revolution in a deal worth £14million. football.london understands the fee is worth £12.5million up front, with £1.5million in add-ons, with a seven-year contract and the option of an extra year.
It bolsters the Blues' options in the shotstopping department, having overseen a whole host of changes there in the summer. Edouard Mendy was the first to leave as the Champions League winner moved to Saudi Arabia, while Kepa Arrizabalaga made a loan switch to Real Madrid.
The Serbian international could well make his debut for the club on Wednesday night as the Blues host AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Should that be the case, the Stamford Bridge crowd will see the goalkeeper wearing a famous shirt number on the back.
It was announced that Petrovic will wear the number 28, formerly of Azpilicueta, who spent many years at the club and won his fair share of trophies. Despite that, Premier League rules actually blocked him from taking his preferred number, which was 99.
Speaking to the official Chelsea website, the new signing said: "I'm very happy to wear number 28 and I know it means a lot at this club. I asked for number 99 originally [the number he wore in the MLS] but I was told it was too high for the Premier League. I saw what was available after that and I liked the look of the No.28 jersey."