Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is happy to be joining an American-owned club.

Slonina is currently on-loan at Chicago Fire, which sold him to Chelsea last summer.

Former technical advisor Petr Cech helped keep Slonina on a path to Stamford Bridge, before new co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake closed the deal following their takeover.

“My friends always sent me screenshots of the internet rumours and my names with one of the best clubs in the world," says Slonina to the London Evening Standard. “It is still a bit weird as Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs and to think where I started from to get to that point is unbelievable.

“I almost thought it was fake [when Cech called]. I had to listen in to make sure it was him, luckily I didn't hang up. I couldn't believe that I was talking to Petr Cech so to listen to him and his advice was an honour.

“I was super impressed that he knew my game. It shows how to conduct yourself when you get to a certain place in life. It is a credit to him and what a legend he is that he is trying to inspire younger keepers. He a great guy."

Slonina adds: “It's great to have American owners and I want to prove they made the right choice."