Chelsea signed Partizan Belgrade midfielder Danilo Pantic on Thursday and immediately sent the highly-rated Serbian teenager out on loan, the Premier League champions confirmed.

Pantic was originally linked with Chelsea in January and the 18-year-old's move to Stamford Bridge has now been completed.

He will spend the coming season on loan at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, who have a partnership deal with Chelsea.

"I am very happy to sign for Chelsea, the champions of the English Premier League, and I hope I can show my value at Vitesse in the coming season. I am honoured at the faith both clubs have shown in me," Pantic told Chelsea's website.

Pantic caught the eye of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho with his impressive displays for Partizan in the Europa League last season and also helped Serbia to the semi-finals of the European Under-19 Championships last year.