Chelsea signs Kante from reigning champion Leicester for reported £32M

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N'Golo Kante is swapping one blue shirt for another.

Chelsea confirmed Saturday that the diminutive midfielder terrier, such an enormous part of Leicester City's fairy tale run to the Premier League title last season, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

"I am so happy to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It’s a dream come true for me," the 25-year-old said of the move.

"The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte, a brilliant coach, and some of the best players in the world was simply too good to turn down.

"My first season in English football was very special and now I hope to go on to achieve even more during my time as a Chelsea player. I am looking forward to meeting up with my new team-mates and helping the club achieve a lot of success."

While neither side released terms of the deal - though Leicester did admit to receiving a club-record fee - Chelsea will reportedly pay £32 million for the Frenchman's services.

Kante, the indefatigable tackling machine that anchored Leicester City last season en route to the stunning league triumph, will immediately slot into Conte's side, providing the ideal blend of range, work rate, and defensive cover the Italian values in his central midfielders.

In a club statement, Leicester admitted to doing everything possible to retain the French international, including offering him a hefty new deal.

"Despite the offer of a substantially improved, long-term contract, made before this summer's European Championships, it became apparent after the tournament that N'Golo's wish was to join Chelsea," the Foxes said in a statement.

A revelation after his £5.6-million move to Leicester from French side Caen last summer, Kante went on to make 40 appearances in all competitions, earning praise throughout the football world and rocketing up the depth chart of Didier Deschamps' French national team.

One of the most coveted midfielders on the market this summer, the combative star becomes Chelsea's second signing of the Conte era after the Blues inked Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi.