Skip to content

Juan Cuadrado: We profile Chelsea's £26.1m Deadline Day signing from Fiorentina

Juan Cuadrado: Looks set for a move to London

We take a look at Chelsea new boy, Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado...

His national team boss said he’d fit in perfectly at Barcelona, but Cuadrado sealed a long-anticipated move to Chelsea from Fiorentina on Deadline Day.

The Blues have described their new signing as a man who plays "predominantly behind a striker, but also comfortable on either flank. Pacy and agile, he is a purposeful attacking threat with an eye for the spectacular."

We take a look at the man who has cost them £26.1m… 

Name: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado

Age: 26

Position: Winger

More from Transfer Headlines

Club: Fiorentina

Nation: Colombia (37 caps, five goals)

World Cup star

"He is ready to go to a great club, regardless of how well he does at the World Cup," said Colombia manager Jose Peckerman before the Brazil showpiece last summer. After one goal, four assists - the joint-most in the tournament - and a key role in his country’s run to the quarter-finals, it wasn’t just Peckerman singing Cuadrado’s praises.

The wide player’s breakthrough displays in south America capped a fine club campaign in which he’d scored 13 times in 38 games for Fiorentina, including a stunning, tie-winning strike in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Udinese.

Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Barcelona were among the clubs reportedly interested before he put pen to paper on a new contract with La Viola in October, tying him to the club until 2019.

Bright start

Cuadrado began his career in his homeland and scored on his professional debut for Independiente Medellin. Just a year later he made the switch to Europe, in a 2009 deal with Udinese.

A spell on the bench followed by a season on loan at eventually-relegated Lecce suggested Cuadrado would struggle to make a successful transition to Serie A, however a move to Fiorentina reignited the Colombian's career.

In his first campaign with the Florence club, the team finished fourth and Cuadrado chipped in with six goals and six assists, playing a key role in their 2012/13 season.

The following year Cuadrado more than doubled that goals tally and produced his semi-final heroics, although a foolish booking in added time of that cup tie saw him suspended from the final.

International talent

Cuadrado made a dream debut for Colombia in 2010, scoring in a 2-0 win over Venezuela and picking up the man of the match prize.

Now, with 37 caps and five international goals to his name, he is an integral figure in Colombia’s talented current crop, alongside the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Jackson Martinez.

“He is a player with great physical conditioning who achieved great things with his club, just as he has done with his country,” says Peckerman.

Chelsea 'dream'

Fiorentina - who purchased full ownership of Cuadrado in 2010 - had been reluctant to part with their winger and club president Andrea Della Valle insisted his buyout clause of around £26m be met.

But Cuadrado couldn't hide his delight after sealing his Premier league move, telling the club's website: "I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given. 

"This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy."

Around Sky