Southampton made what could be a key signing this season, when they took Lesley Ugochukwu on loan from Chelsea, the defensive midfielder is highly rated and at 6ft 3 has the physique to dominate games.

It hit the rumour mill earlier in the week, but it was confirmed on Friday evening that Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu will spend the 2024/25 season on loan at Saints.

He arrives with a big reputation, he was signed by the Blues from Rennes just a year ago for £25 million, still aged just 19 he already had 47 games in France’s Ligue 1 to his name.

In his first season at Chelsea he was a member of the first team squad, despite a hamstring injury hampering a big chunk of his season, he started 3 Premier League games plus another 9 off the bench as well as playing the full 90 minutes in 3 EFL Cup matches.

That is good going, because as we know getting into the Chelsea first team for a youngster is a near impossibility, Tino Livramento & Armando Broja had barely played a game for Chelsea when they joined Southampton.

It is believed that this is just a straight forward loan deal, no option to buy etc, Chelsea truly rate Ugochukwu and see him as part of their squad going forward.

It is unclear whether he will play any part in today’s game at Newcastle.

Photo: Action Images

saintpete01 added 10:14 - Aug 17 Great addition to the squad 👍 Smart work SFC
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JoeEgg added 11:23 - Aug 17 Can he play in goal?
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Bowlercow added 11:38 - Aug 17 Not eligible for 1st game but looks so likely to be a good addition Still 2 weeks to get a keeper
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underweststand added 11:46 - Aug 17 Looks the part already, he may be a good addition to the squad, but Chelsea may not want to part with him, and at 25+ million, he may already be out of " our economic league."
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saintpaz added 12:40 - Aug 17 should be going all out to buy Sam Johnstone and he wants away!
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