The striker had been with the Eredivisie club for the whole of his professional career, bar a brief loan spell with Excelsior at the end of the 2003/04 season.
Kalou was born in Ivory Coast but failed in a bid to obtain Dutch nationality in order to play for Holland at the 2006 World Cup.
Supported by Netherlands coach Marco van Basten and the country's former playmaker Cruyff, Kalou applied for Dutch citizenship but was denied by Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk.
The player, signed as back-up to the Blues' legion of stars, made his debut as a 26th minute replacement for Michael Ballack in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool.
A pacy and dangerous performer, he is the brother of Bonaventure Kalou, who played for the Ivory Coast at the 2006 World Cup. He can play on the wing or in a deep-lying role, making him a versatile performer.
His Chelsea career started slowly yet in the second half of his debut season he began to impress. That improvement continued during the 2007/8 season where he regularly featured on the left-wing of a front three or as an impact sub.
He eventually opted to play for the Ivory Coast, and finally made his debut in February 2007 in a friendly against Guinea.
He picked up FA Cup and League Cup winners' medals in 2006/07.
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