Chelsea have announced the signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United on a season-long loan, with the club having an obligation to make the move permanent next season. The 24-year-old winger is Chelsea's 11th signing of the summer transfer window.
What did he have to say? "Chelsea is iconic. My idols growing up were Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and now I have the opportunity to play for this club like them. It’s a great feeling," Sancho said on the club's website. "I think it’s the manager who really drew me to the project. "I knew him [Enzo Maresca] from his time with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. He spoke to me on the phone about this project and what he was building here, and for a young player like myself it’s exciting and I can’t wait to get started. "I enjoy his style of play. The wingers when they get on the ball, he loves them to go one versus one and be direct. We play a lot of one-twos with the 10s and the striker combination plays. It’s very attractive and it’s a style that I play."
Who is Jadon Sancho? Sancho was born on 25 March 2000 in Camberwell, London, England. The winger began his career with Watford before joining Manchester City's academy in March 2015. He spent just over two years in City's youth sides and then departed the club for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017. It was his time with the German outfit that saw Sancho rise to prominence as he produced a series of superb displays during his four seasons at the club. For Dortmund, Sancho produced 120 goal involvements in only 158 matches across all competitions, he also won the German Cup and German Super Cup. And then ahead of the 2021/22 season, Sancho returned to England and signed for Man Utd. He made 83 appearances for them and played a part in their 2022/23 EFL Cup success. After falling out with Erik ten Hag because the manager said Sancho had not trained to the standard required before a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in September 2023, the winger returned to Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign and helped them reach the UEFA Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
What type of player is he? A skilful winger, Sancho can operate on either wing and is able to play quick, short passes with his team-mates.
Chelsea's attacking options: Joao Felix, David Datro Fofana, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer.
When could he make his debut? Sancho is likely to be available for Chelsea after the international break when they take on Crystal Palace on Sunday 1 September.