Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho says he's ready to sign for Inter Milan.

"I am on holiday at the moment and I will go back to England on either Thursday or Friday, but I have made up my mind and I want to open a new cycle in my career," Carvalho told Corriere dello Sport.

"I feel ready to do it. I had a chance to discuss this with the Chelsea directors and they know what I think. Now we'll see what happens.

"I have been living in London for the past five years and I have had some marvellous moments. The first four seasons were wonderful, but the last one was difficult. Now I think it's right that Chelsea and I go our separate ways."

The Portugal international insists he would only leave Chelsea for a top side and he describes Inter as a "special club".

"I spoke to my agent and he knows what I want," added Carvalho. "If I leave Chelsea, I want to play for another great club, not an average side - otherwise I will honour my contract in London.

"Inter are a top club, better yet, a special club. I have heard good things about them and I don't even need to talk to Mourinho. He is a great professional and working with him again would be a big stimulus for me.

"I still have a lot to prove and I am not at the end of my career. I did what I had to do, now it's up to the two clubs discussing. I will say nothing else because I have respect for Chelsea.

"They paid a lot for me from Porto and for four years they have treated me in a really good way."