SOUTHAMPTON have completed their third raid on Chelsea’s academy this summer with the loan capture of whizkid Armando Broja.
The Albania striker, 19, has been borrowed for the season as Saints beef up their attack following Danny Ings’ sale to Aston Villa.
Blackburn forward Adam Armstrong looks set to join Broja at St Mary’s in the coming days.
Armstrong will undergo his Saints medical today after personal terms were agreed last night.
Broja follows the permanent signings of full-back Tino Livramento, 18, and centre-back Dynel Simeu, 19, from Stamford Bridge.
Slough-born Broja impressed out on loan at Vitesse Arnhem last season, netting 11 goals in 34 appearances, making him one of the top-scoring teenagers in Europe’s leading divisions.
Saints chief Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Armando is a very talented player who we were impressed by last season.
“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.
“I know he is 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, who has six caps for Albania, said: “I feel very happy. I was really excited to join Southampton.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £180 IN FREE BETS FOR CHELSEA vs VILLARREAL
“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.”
DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON WITH £100,000 PRIZE POT UP FOR GRABS
Broja scored 11 goals for Vitesse Arnhem last term and was involved with Thomas Tuchel’s pre-season
