Chelsea has confirmed that their 25-year-old midfielder, Mario Pasalic has joined Serie A side, Atalanta on a permanent deal.

The Blues disclosed this in a statement via their official website on Monday.

The statement read: “Atalanta has today exercised their option to sign Mario Pasalic on a permanent deal.

The midfielder is currently spending his second year on loan at the Italian side and will now join them permanently ahead of next season.”

Pasalic joined Chelsea in 2014 from Hajduk Split in his native Croatia.

After signing for Chelsea, Pasalic’s first loan was to Elche in Spain.

Pasalic subsequently spent seasons on loan at Monaco, AC Milan and Spartak Moscow.

He has represented the Croatian senior side 12 times, most recently in a friendly victory over Georgia back in November.