Chelsea have completed the signing of AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko.
The 29-year-old signed a four-year contract on Wednesday after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
"I am here for the challenge and the excitement of the Premier League," said the Ukraine captain.
Because the exact fee has not been disclosed, it is not known whether it beats the £30m Manchester United gave Leeds in 2002 for Rio Ferdinand.
It is however a club record fee for Chelsea, eclipsing the £24.5m they paid for Lyon's Michael Essien in 2005.
Shevchenko, former European Footballer of the Year, added: "I am going from one big club to another and joining a team of champions.
"There is a right moment to join a football club and I think I have arrived here at the perfect time.
"The Champions League has to be a realistic target for next season but it is not just about the Champions League. Chelsea is going for their third Premiership as well and I like the club's mentality of wanting to win every game they play.
"I have followed Mr (Jose) Mourinho's career carefully for the last few years and have been hugely impressed with the way he manages.
"He puts team ethic before individual expression which is the way I believe great teams are created.
"Had money been my motivation for coming, I would probably have stayed in Milan.
"I am pleased that Chelsea managed to conclude everything before the World Cup - I can go to Germany with a clear mind and proud to be a Chelsea player."
Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon added: "The deal is a new club transfer record and is a straight cash deal. We are delighted to have signed one of Europe's greatest goalscorers."
A statement on AC Milan's website said: "AC Milan communicates it has ceded definitely the sporting rights of Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea.
"Milan thank Shevchenko, an extraordinary man and striker, for the great amount of excitement he provided in the seven seasons in which he wore the red and black shirt.
"His 173 goals, making him the second top scorer in the club's history, have contributed in a vital manner to the winning of an Italian league title, an Italian Cup, Super Cup, a Champions League and a European Supercup."
The 29-year-old signed a four-year contract on Wednesday after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
"I am here for the challenge and the excitement of the Premier League," said the Ukraine captain.
Because the exact fee has not been disclosed, it is not known whether it beats the £30m Manchester United gave Leeds in 2002 for Rio Ferdinand.
It is however a club record fee for Chelsea, eclipsing the £24.5m they paid for Lyon's Michael Essien in 2005.
Shevchenko, former European Footballer of the Year, added: "I am going from one big club to another and joining a team of champions.
"There is a right moment to join a football club and I think I have arrived here at the perfect time.
"The Champions League has to be a realistic target for next season but it is not just about the Champions League. Chelsea is going for their third Premiership as well and I like the club's mentality of wanting to win every game they play.
"I have followed Mr (Jose) Mourinho's career carefully for the last few years and have been hugely impressed with the way he manages.
"He puts team ethic before individual expression which is the way I believe great teams are created.
"Had money been my motivation for coming, I would probably have stayed in Milan.
"I am pleased that Chelsea managed to conclude everything before the World Cup - I can go to Germany with a clear mind and proud to be a Chelsea player."
Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon added: "The deal is a new club transfer record and is a straight cash deal. We are delighted to have signed one of Europe's greatest goalscorers."
A statement on AC Milan's website said: "AC Milan communicates it has ceded definitely the sporting rights of Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea.
"Milan thank Shevchenko, an extraordinary man and striker, for the great amount of excitement he provided in the seven seasons in which he wore the red and black shirt.
"His 173 goals, making him the second top scorer in the club's history, have contributed in a vital manner to the winning of an Italian league title, an Italian Cup, Super Cup, a Champions League and a European Supercup."
