Berlin: Ivory Coast international striker Salomon Kalou signed for Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin from French Ligue 1 outfit Lille for a reported fee of between €2.5 and €3 million (Dh12 million) on Sunday.
The 29-year-old — a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2012 — signed a three-year contract and will be paid €3 million a year according to local media.
“It is done. Salomon Kalou is now a ‘Herthaner’. Welcome,” tweeted Hertha manager Michael Preetz.
Kalou, who had been at Lille since 2012 after a six-year spell with Chelsea, will fill the vacuum left by the departure of Colombian striker Adrian Ramos to Borussia Dortmund.
Kalou, who opted to play for the Ivory Coast after he failed to receive Dutch citizenship while playing for Feyenoord, enjoyed a successful time with Chelsea winning the FA Cup four times and one Premier League title. Hertha have just one point after two games of the season, losing 4-2 to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
