Chelsea have completed the signing of Italy defender Marco Palestra from Atalanta for a fee in the region of £43million.

The 21-year-old, who can play in either full-back position or as a wing-back, has penned a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and becomes the first signing under new boss Xabi Alonso.

Palestra was named Serie A defender of the year last season and won his first cap for the Azzurri in the World Cup play-off win over Northern Ireland in March.

Having come through at Atalanta, Palestra came to the fore during a loan spell at Cagliari last season, making 37 appearances in the Italian top flight.

Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world, says Palestra

He told Chelsea’s official website: “A lot of things convinced me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world.

“I’m very excited to get started. I’ve felt the energy since the first day Chelsea wanted me. I can’t wait to start, see all the fans, my team-mates and the manager. 

“We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and manager in Xabi. He has spoken to me about how he wants us to play, which is exciting, and we can’t wait to compete in the Premier League.”

Palestra also took to Instagram to thank everyone at Atalanta that helped him on his journey.

He wrote: “I came to Bergamo as a child. Atalanta was much more than a club: it’s where I grew up as a football player and as a person. Thank you to the Percassi family, the managers, the coaches, the whole staff, my team-mates and the fans for believing in me and being part of this extraordinary journey that started 11 years ago.”

Palestra could be a like-for-like replacement for Marc Cucurella, who left Chelsea for Real Madrid last month.