Chelsea complete loan signing of striker Alexandre Pato from Corinthians

Chelsea have officially confirmed an agreement to sign striker Alexandre Pato on loan from Corinthians. The Brazil striker, who flew into London earlier this week in order to undergo a medical and complete formalities after weeks of speculation over a move to English football, will remain at Stamford Bridge initially until the end of the 2015/16 season.

Announcing the deal late on 29 January, a club statement read: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the loan signing of Alexandre Pato from Corinthians until the end of the season. Pato, whose full name is Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, is a versatile forward player with an excellent touch and impressive turn of pace."

"I am so happy to sign for Chelsea," Pato said. "It is a dream for me. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know my new team-mates and cannot wait to play. I thank Chelsea for their support and hope I can repay this faith to the club and its fans."

Although not explicitly confirmed by Chelsea, such a loan is believed to include the option to make the deal permanent during the summer should he impress between now and May. The 26-year-old becomes manager Guus Hiddink's first signing since being named as temporary successor to Jose Mourinho in December 2015.

Pato is not the only player expected to arrive in west London before the transfer window shuts at 23.00 GMT on 1 February. Budding centre-back Matt Miazga has also been widely linked with a switch from Major League Soccer outfit the New York Red Bulls and Hiddink confirmed in a press conference held before the FA Cup fourth-round trip to Milton Keynes Dons that the one-cap United States defender would be joining the club and not leaving immediately on loan.

"We are not rushing but he will one of the squad numbers for the future, stepping up from the national team." he said. "We always want to see such a player to see what they are capable of. He will be [in the first team squad for the rest of the season]. I don't know exactly when."