Chelsea have swooped for Bayer Leverkusen's 17-year-old attacking midfielder Gokhan Tore.

Tore has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Blues and joins the Chelsea academy with immediate effect.

A statement on the player's personal website said: "Gokhan has signed a professional contract with Chelsea up to June 30, 2012. He would like to thank Bayer Leverkusen for their support in the past and is looking forward to his new career in England."