sadDI SANTO SOLD TO WIGAN
Franco Di Santo has made a permanent move to Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee. He has signed a three-year contract.
The 21-year-old striker joined Chelsea in January 2008 after signing from Chilean side Audux Italiano La Florida.
He began life well in the reserves, netting seven goals in eight games, and helped turn an 11-game winless streak into six games undefeated.
One of the defining moments of that reserve season was two penalties and an excellent volley that secured a hat-trick against Tottenham. He also scored an important equaliser against Arsenal.
Di Santo then travelled with the first team on the pre-season tour to China two years ago. He went on to make his first-team debut the season that followed during a 1-1 draw with Tottenham and made eight appearances in the Premier League, as well as featuring in the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League, but he didn't find the net.
He also figured in last summer's tour of America under Carlo Ancelotti and scored against Mexican side Club America.
The young Argentinean then went out on loan to Blackburn Rovers for a season. There he made 24 appearances, with 16 starts, and continuing his strikes in local derbies, scored his one Rovers goal against Burnley, helping his side to a 3-2 victory.
He returned to Chelsea to play a part in this summer's pre-season but moves on without playing another competitive game. In total he made 16 appearances as a substitute for our first team without scoring.
Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Franco for the part he played at the club and wishes him well with his new challenge.
Source
I'm quite sad about this, I like him. Also, that is the actual photo the Chelsea website used for this... lol so perfect.