Chelsea Confirm Signing of Dutch Midfielder Van Ginkel

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Chelsea have agreed terms with Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse for the signing of young Dutch midfielder Marco Van Ginkel.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sees Van Ginkel as a potential long-term replacement for long-serving Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who is nearing the end of his playing career.

Despite his young age, Van Ginkel has become a cult hero at Vitesse. He’s made 111 appearance in all competitions, scoring 23 goals. He led the side to a fourth-place finish in the Eredivise, and won the Dutch Football Talent of the Year for 2012/13.

The Dutch international is yet to add to his solitary cap for the Netherlands, but is hoping a move to one of the European giants will better his chances in the future.

With the 2014 World Cup looming at the end of next season, Van Ginkel wants to put himself in pole position of a call-up and prove his worth at the top level.

The 20-year old is regarded as one of the hottest prospects to come out of the Netherlands in recent years, and Mourinho had wanted to procure his signature during his time as manager of Real Madrid.

The young midfielder is expected to fly to London to confirm the transfer and be announced a Chelsea player.

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