"Carlo was the outstanding candidate for the job," the statement added. "He has proved over a long period his ability to build teams that challenged for, and have been successful in, major domestic and European competitions.

"He also had a highly successful playing career in those competitions and therefore brings unparalleled all round experience to the job.

"We are sure everybody at Chelsea will give him a warm welcome and we are all looking forward to working with him," it concluded.

Ancelotti has long made his admiration for Milan attacker Kaka public knowledge, and that he would relish working with the Brazilian if either of them were to ever leave the San Siro.

With Kaka on the shopping list of Florentino Perez, it was speculated that Real Madrid may also have an outside shot at bringing Ancelotti to the Santiago Bernabeu, but now that he has already been photographed in a Blue shirt, there could be an interesting tug-of-war for the 2007 Ballon d'Or and World Player of the Year winner.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com