English Premier League club Chelsea has announced the signing of American international Christian Pulisic from German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on a five-and-a-half-year deal.

The right winger joined BVB as a 16-year-old in 2015 and has gone on to make 115 appearances for the side, from which he has scored 15 goals and 24 assists. He has also scored nine times in 23 outings for the United States.

Chelsea parted with the sum of €64 million (($72.78 million) to get the player on their books but will allow him to remain on loan with Dortmund until the end of the current season.

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"Christian Pulisic is now a Chelsea player, but will spend the rest of the season back on loan at Borussia Dortmund, where he has spent his entire career so far," the Blues announced via their official website on Wednesday.

"The 20-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, and becomes the third American player in our history after his international team-mate, Matt Miazga, and Roy Wegerle."

"We are delighted to have signed one of Europe’s most sought-after young players. Christian has shown his quality during a fantastic spell in Germany and at just 20, we believe he has the potential to become an important Chelsea player for many years to come," club director Marina Granovskaia added.

"We look forward to welcoming him to Stamford Bridge in the summer and wish him and Dortmund every success for the remainder of the season."

Pulisic, who has spent all of his professional career with the German club, posted an emotional statement via Twitter on Wednesday, claiming he will be leaving with a "heavy heart" and asking fans not to doubt his commitment.

"It feels like only yesterday that I arrived in Dortmund as a raw, excited, very nervous but exceptionally proud 16-year-old from a small American town called Hershey," he wrote.

"I would not be here without the club and their belief in giving young players a chance. Many memorable moments stand out - to have experienced all of them before my 20th birthday, still feels at times like a dream.

"For the next six months, it's all BVB. Please do not doubt my passion, determination and my 110% commitment to the team right until the last ball is kicked this season."

What This Means

Despite the player's low scoring numbers for Dortmund, he is one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and has become the face of American soccer. Additionally, many of his appearances for the club have been off the bench.

There's little doubt that he can become one of the best in the world under the correct tutelage and current Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is likely to mold him into just that when he joins up with the club in the summer.

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