Chelsea's Raul Meireles has today joined Fenerbahçe on a permanent transfer.

Raul Meireles has today joined Fenerbahçe on a permanent transfer.

The move was completed before the close of the Turkish transfer window later this week.

Meireles joined Chelsea on transfer deadline day last August and made his debut away at Sunderland, assisting a Daniel Sturridge goal with a long through-ball.

The Portuguese international's ability to play in a variety of roles in midfield meant he was regularly deployed by both Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo, starting 37 games last season and coming on in a further eight matches.

He scored six goals including important long-range strikes in Di Matteo's first game in charge at Birmingham in an FA Cup replay, and at home to Benfica that sealed a Champions League quarter-final win when the team was under pressure.

He was a second-half sub during the FA Cup Final victory over Liverpool but missed the Champions League Final due to suspension having played the whole of the semi-final versus Barcelona.

This season, prior to his transfer, the 29-year-old started one match and was a sub on two occasions. In total he made 38+10 appearances.

Chelsea Football Club thanks Raul for the part he played in such an historic and successful year, and wishes him well at his new club.

He joins a Fenerbahçe squad containing former Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch plus ex-Premier League players Joseph Yobo and Dirk Kuyt.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/2909772/title/meireles-departs-for-turkey