Chelsea and Arsenal have issued a joint statement confirming Ashley Cole's protracted move was finally completed with just minutes to spare before the transfer window shut.

Following months of on-off negotiations, a 5million-cash deal plus William Gallas was accepted by Arsenal for the England left-back, with both men undergoing medicals on Thursday evening.

However, although all the relevant paperwork had been lodged with the Premier League, neither club had made an announcement as such by the time the midnight deadline passed.