Wanderers were believed to have accepted an offer for the 26-year-old in late December, with the player's wage demands initially proving a stumbling block to his move to Stamford Bridge.

Cahill eventually signed for the Blues for a fee in the region of seven-million pounds on Monday, and is now intent on repaying the faith shown in him by Andre Villas-Boas by hitting the ground running. 

"Ever since I went to Bolton I was always hoping to do well, to try to take a forward step in my career and this is a massive step for me," Cahill told the club's official website.

"It has always been a dream to play at the highest level and signing for Chelsea now, it gives me the opportunity to do that.

"It is fantastic when you are wanted at a club first and foremost by the manager and the fans, and it is time for me to try to repay that with working hard and putting in performances that will help Chelsea.

"It is an exciting time in my career and I would just like to get on with it now and focus on doing my best."

Cahill joins fellow England defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge but has conceded he faces a challenge getting into the starting line-up to catch England boss Fabio Capello's eye.

He added: "I am sure that the England manager is happy that there is a possibility we could be playing together but you have to be respectful of the fact that I have to earn my position in this team by working hard in training.

"Coming to a club like Chelsea, there are top-class, international players all the way through the squad so there is going to be strong competition and it is not going to be easy. I just hope when I get my chance I take it."