Official | Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu loaned out to Southampton | OneFootball

Southampton FC have announced the loan signing of French defensive midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu (20) from Premier League rivals Chelsea FC, both clubs have announced. The 20-year-old Stade Rennais youth product joined the Blues last summer in a €27m move after impressing with Bruno Genesio’s Rennes side. The France U21 international only featured 15 times with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea outfit last season, including 12 times in the Premier League.

Ugochukwu also featured twice for Thierry Henry’s France’s Olympic team in the lead-up to the Paris summer Games. He was then recalled by Chelsea. “I feel very happy. Southampton has a great history. A lot of great players came over here and played for Southampton, so I’m very happy to be part of the team now. It was a very easy decision”, Ugochukwu said.

Saints manager Russell Martin added: “Lesley is a brilliant athlete who has all the ingredients to be a really top player in the future, and we want to help him achieve that. He combines his size and power with real composure in possession.” Southampton will kick off their Premier League campaign away at Newcastle United this Saturday afternoon.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval