Premier League: Chelsea signs Danny Drinkwater, Davide Zappacosta

Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Defender Davide Zappacosta and midfielder Danny Drinkwater have signed with Chelsea.

The Premier League power announced the signings Thursday.

Drinkwater, 27, was the sixth senior signing of the summer for the club, which also signed Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata and Zappacosta.

The midfielder began at Manchester United's academy before being loaned to Huddersfield, Cardiff, Watford and Barnsley. He joined Leicester City in 2012.

"I'm delighted to be a Chelsea player and can't wait to get started," Drinkwater said in a news release. "It has been a long journey to get here but I am very happy and am looking forward to helping the club win more trophies."

Drinkwater's deal is for five years, according to the club.

"Danny is not only a Premier League winner but also has Champions League experience which will be invaluable for us this season," Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo told the team website. "He is a typically combative English midfielder with a cultured passing technique and his arrival significantly strengthens our midfield options."

Leicester received a club-record fee for Drinkwater, according to a team statement. ESPN FC reported it to be in the neighborhood of $45 million. Drinkwater did not score in two games this season for Leicester. He had one goal and three assists in 44 Premier League starts last year.

Zappacosta, 25, comes over from Torino. The wing-back and full-back signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge, according to the club.

"It is a dream for me to join Chelsea and play in the Premier League," Zappacosta said in a news release from the club. "I am very excited to be here and start working with the team. I hope I can show my quality to the coach, my team-mates and the supporters."

Zappacosta began his career with Isola Liri in the Italian fourth-tier. He later signed with Atalanta in Serie A before appearing for the first team with Avellino. He returned to Atalanta's first team in 2014, before moving to Torino. He was called up to Italy's national team and was named to the squad's backup list for Euro 2016. He now has four caps for Italy.

Sources told ESPN FC that Zappacosta's deal from Torino is for about $29 million.

The European transfer window closed on Thursday night. Chelsea faces Drinkwater's former club, Leicester City, at 3 p.m. Sept. 9.