Chelsea have taken their spending on players close to 80 million pounds ($126 million) by completing the transfer from Girondins Bordeaux of Russia midfielder Alexei Smertin.

The premier league club announced on Monday on its website that the 28-year-old Russia captain had signed for 5.0 million euros ($5.44 million) after three seasons in France's Ligue 1 with Bordeaux.

Smertin joins a list of leading players signed by Chelsea since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club less than two months ago including Juan Sebastian Veron of Argentina, Romania striker Adrian Mutu, Ireland's Damien Duff and England midfielder Joe Cole.

Chelsea are poised to add Argentina striker Hernan Crespo of Inter Milan to the list on Tuesday and take their spending to close on 100 million pounds.