Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has backed latest signing Asmir Begovic to play an important role at the club next season.

The Blues completed a £8million deal for the Bosnian goalkeeper from Stoke City last week.

Begovic arrived as a replacement for club legend Petr Cech and has since travelled to the club's pre-season tour of the US where he will compete with Thibaut Courtois for the number one spot in Jose Mourinho's line-up.

And, after seeing the 28-year-old in training, Matic is confident Begovic will contribute to the team.

"Asmir is a great goalkeeper and great person," Matic told the club's official website.

"He has just trained with us two days and we will see what is going to happen but I think he is very happy and he works very hard.

"Of course everyone is important for us and Asmir is going to be important."