Chelsea agree first transfer deal of January window as winger joins Premier League rivals

Chelsea winger Zain Silcott-Duberry has completed his move to Bournemouth.

The Cherries have finalised a deal with their Premier League rivals for the 19-year-old that contains no initial fee but includes performance-based add-ons and a sell-on clause.

Silcott-Duberry has signed a three-year contract with Bournemouth, who have already brought in two new players this month in young defenders Julio Soler and Matai Akinmboni from Argentine outfit Lanus and Major League Soccer (MLS) side DC United respectively.

“I am delighted. It’s a new journey for me, which is important. I’m a firm believer in being ambitious and being yourself, and exploring to have the best career, so here I am,” Silcott-Duberry said.

“You see the portfolio of what the club is building. That helped me, as well as seeing young players making debuts as well.

“There’s an opportunity to look in the mirror and say ‘this could be you, if you go for it and work for it’ and that’s what I’m here to do.

“I want to be open to learn, to help myself become a better player and get better day-by-day.”

Silcott-Duberry initially came through the ranks at Norwich before joining Chelsea in 2017 to become part of their youth setup.

He made his debut for the club’s Under-18 side while still a schoolboy and was often used as a wing-back when playing in that age group. Last season, the teenager was a regular for Chelsea’s U21 side and played as a right wing-back.

Silcott-Duberry has continued to play at that level and been unable to break into the Chelsea first team.

Silcott-Duberry may not be the only departure from Chelsea this month, with summer signing Renato Veiga still a target for Borussia Dortmund.

The German side want to sign a new left-back this month and have also been linked with a move for Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has 18 months left to run on his current contract in north London.

Reports in Germany state that Dortmund have approached the Blues over an initial loan deal for versatile Portugal international Veiga, who can also play at centre-back and in midfield.

Serie A club Torino continue to be linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei, with Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka among the other players who could depart Stamford Bridge before the January deadline, while injured striker Armando Broja could return early from a loan stint at Everton.