Chelsea have completed the signing of Ross Turnbull from Middlesbrough on a free transfer.

According to Sky Sports News, Chelsea beat a host of other clubs to secure the signing of the promising youngster.

Boro had announced at the end of the 2008/9 season that the goalkeeper would be leaving The Riverside when his contract expired on 30th June.

The 24-year-old enhanced his reputation with a series of number of eye-catching performances for Boro in the Premier League last term.

Turnbull will now be looking to make an impact at Stamford Bridge after joining Petr Cech and Hilario as the goalkeepers in Carlo Ancelotti's first-team squad.

Chelsea's shot-stopping options had been limited during the second half of last season following Carlo Cudicini's switch to Tottenham.

Hilario provided the back-up to Cech and Turnbull is now expected to vie with the Portuguese player for the right to be second choice.

The reserve goalkeeper has extended his contract at Chelsea and will stay until 2011.

The Portuguese goalkeeper was signed by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in 2006 and he will be out of contract this summer.

It was thought that he may not be offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge. However, new manager Carlos Ancelotti clearly sees the 33-year-old's experience as a valuable asset for the club next season.

The former Porto player has been used sparingly since his arrival in England, and appears likely to compete with fellow new signing Turnbull, signed from Middlesbrough, to be understudy to number one Cech.