Chelsea confirm signing of Brazil youngster Nathan

Premier League champions Chelsea have confirmed their first signing ahead of next season in the form of Brazil Under-20 international Nathan.

The 19-year-old will join the club from Atletico Paranaense on 1 July after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the Blues, who are expected to acquire the youngster for a reported £4.5m.

Nathan confirmed via his Instagram page on 12 May that he had agreed to join Chelsea ahead of the new season and speaking to the club's official website, he revealed his motivations for his move to Stamford Bridge.

"I am very happy to be joining Chelsea, the champions of England, and I hope I will be able to learn a lot and develop my game," he said.

The midfielder, who is described as a player with "an eye for goal and impressive pace", becomes the latest Brazilian to move to the west London club, with Oscar, Ramires and Willian already key figures under manager Jose Mourinho, while Lucas Piazon is regarded as a promising youth player.

Writing on his Instagram page earlier in May, Nathan said: "A dream is coming true! First of all I want to thank God for always lighting my way, my dad who always believed in my talent and was a real warrior while helping me to reach my goals, my family and friends who always supported me.

"And I am also thankful to Club Atletico Paranaense, which was part of this journey and where I played for six years of my career. Thank you Chelsea for trusting in me, I will do my best to support my team on reaching new achievements. WE ARE ALL BLUE."

Nathan becomes the first confirmed signing of the summer transfer window for Chelsea, with Mourinho indicating there will be few changes to his title-winning squad ahead of next season.