Bosnich heads straight to Chelsea

Goalkeeper Mark Bosnich today brought his long-running problems at Manchester United to an end and signed for Chelsea on a free transfer.

The former Aston Villa keeper was released by United earlier after being left out of the first team squad for most of the season. He still had one-and-a-half years to run on his contract.

Chelsea immediately added the 29-year-old Australian international to their ranks on a three-and-a-half-year contract, but warned him that the "competition for the number one jersey will be tough".

Bosnich joined United on a free transfer from Aston Villa in May 1999 and was hailed as the successor to Old Trafford favourite Peter Schmeichel.

But the move didn't work out and after suffering a series of injury problems he was moved down the pecking order behind Italian Massimo Taibi, signed in a £4.5million deal from Venezia three months later, and long term No 2 Dutchman Raimond van der Gouw.

Although he vowed to fight for his place the signing of French star Fabien Barthez for £7.8m before the start of this season confirmed he was surplus to requirements.

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is looking for a senior goalkeeper after becoming frustrated at the indifferent form of No1 choice Ed de Goey. Carlo Cudicini is emerging as his regular choice after taking de Goey's place for the last two Premiership matches and the FA Cup tie against Peterborough.