Jimmy-Jay Morgan has been unveiled as a new Chelsea player following his under-the-radar deadline day move to join the Blues from Southampton.
Morgan made the switch from the south coast to the capital in a reported £6m move as Chelsea owner Todd Boehly showed he is also willing to splash the cash on academy talents as well.
There was hope that Morgan would sign a fresh deal with Premier League strugglers Southampton, however the player was keen to get a deal done once it emerged Chelsea were interested.
Morgan had initially rejected a renewed contract offer from his former side, however Southampton quickly cashed-in once it became apparent the striker was keen to leave.
The deal progressed quickly once Graham Potter’s side identified the fresh-faced 17-year-old as a potential target, with Morgan signing a long-term contact at the five-time Premier League champions.
He returns to London having previously been part of the club’s academy at a young age before deciding to make the move to St Mary’s where he was put through his most formative years.
Morgan trained with senior professionals and made the bench for first-team cup games at his previous club this season but failed to make his professional debut for Southampton.
The academy star will now have to impress in Chelsea’s academy ranks before being given the green light to make the step up to join the club’s firs-team stars who are looking to build on what has been a disastrous campaign so far this season.
The forward joins his new club having impressed with six goals and five assists in 13 appearances for the Saints’ youth team this season and will be hoping to continue his good run of form after being given permission to join Chelsea’s Under-18s as well as the development squad.
Chelsea’s head of youth development and recruitment Jim Fraser praised Morgan’s abilities and told the club’s official website: ‘In signing Jimmy-Jay we have added a player with good potential to our Academy squads.
‘His ability marks him out as an exciting striker and we are delighted he has chosen Chelsea for this next, important stage of his development.’