Chelsea starlet seals Southampton switch, as Hasenhuttl lists three appealing traits

Armando Broja battles with Emiliano Marcondes in Bournemouth v Chelsea

Chelsea have sent striker Armando Broja on loan to Southampton, where he will help replace Danny Ings.

Ings recently left Southampton, where he has been a reliable scorer, to join Aston Villa. It has left Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side looking for replacements. Reports on Monday indicated they had agreed a deal for Blackburn’s Adam Armstrong and were set to sign Broja too.

The Broja deal has now gone through, with the 19-year-old signing on for the whole 2021-22 season. It comes after he agreed a five-year contract with Chelsea earlier in the summer.

The 19-year-old will now spend a second season away from Stamford Bridge after scoring 11 goals in 34 games on loan at Vitesse in 2020-21.

In the process, he caught the eyes of those at Southampton, who have now successfully made their move.

“Armando is a very talented player who we were impressed by last season,” said Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl on their club website.

“He is young, but he comes now with a full season of experience in senior football with a good team, and he brings a lot of qualities that can help us.

“He is a strong, quick player with a good instinct and this makes him a good fit for the way we like to play.

“I know how highly regarded he is by Chelsea, and I think this will be a good place for him to continue his own development as well.”

Broja excited for Southampton challenge

The Berkshire-born Albania international is eager to get going in the Premier League. He feels that Southampton will be the perfect place for him to develop.

“I feel very happy,” he said upon completing his loan move. “I was really excited to join Southampton. It’s obviously a very good Premier League club.

“They’ve got a good history and they play in the best league in the world. So it’s amazing for a young player to experience it, be in and around a Premier League team, and learn and develop from the older players, the staff and everyone here.

“It’s a very good opportunity.”

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