Chelsea confirm transfer of Croatian star to Serie A club

Chelsea have announced the permanent departure of Mario Pasalic to Atalanta BC after the Serie A side triggered the buy option in his contract.

The Croatian is presently in his second season on loan with the Italian club and it was highly expected that they would activate the £13.5m buy clause.

Earlier today, the Blues officially confirmed the permanent transfer of Pasalic to Atalanta, thereby ending his six-year association with the club.

"Atalanta have today exercised their option to sign Mario Pasalic on a permanent deal," a statement on the club's official website read.

Pasalic joined the Blues from Hajduk Split in the summer of 2014 but he was unable to make a competitive appearance during this time at the club.

The midfielder is definitely more valuable than the £13.5m fee but the Blues will still be pleased, given he was bought for only £3m from Hajduk.

Pasalic has made more than 70 appearances for Atalanta over the past couple of years and he is set to play a key role in their top-four push.