Swansea City reach Josh McEachran loan deal with Chelsea

Josh McEachran has played five times for England Under-21s

Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran has completed his loan move to Swansea City.

McEachran's arrival in south Wales had been delayed after injuries to fellow Blues midfielders Florent Malouda, John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien.

But the 18-year-old has now been given the green light to move to Swansea for the rest of the season.

"He's an incredible passer of the ball," said Swans manager Brendan Rodgers.

"And I know the England set-up have very high hopes for him as well.

"He's a kid who can create chances and has wonderful vision on the ball, he fits perfectly into our team."

McEachran says Swansea's 3-2 win over Arsenal at the weekend underlined his reasons for joining the Welsh club.

"I'm delighted to be here to be honest,'' McEachran told Swansea's website.

"I wanted to come earlier, but Chelsea had a few injuries and things.

"There was interest from a number of other Premier League clubs, but I wanted to come to Swansea because of the style of football they play. I think it will suit me.

"The manager also had a big impact on my decision. I've known him from his Chelsea days and I think he is a fantastic manager.

"He's got the team playing well. I watched the Arsenal game on TV and they did really, really well.

"It's hard to believe that nine years ago Swansea were bottom of the entire Football League and Arsenal were top of the Premier League. It's amazing.'

"I know a few of the Swansea lads already know Scott[Sinclair] from Chelsea and Steven Caulker from the England squads.

"It's a really young team here at Swansea and I think I will fit in well.

"I certainly hope so because I want to get a place in the team and play a lot more Premier League games.''

Rodgers, a former youth and reserve-team manager at Stamford Bridge, has been keen to bring in his former pupil to bolster his midfield options in their bid for Premier League survival.

McEachran is Swansea's fourth signing of the January transfer window following the arrival of Iceland midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson on loan.

Rodgers revealed his interest in McEachran in October before the young midfielder suffered an ankle injury in Chelsea's Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool on 29 November.

McEachran, who graduated through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge, returned from a five-week lay-off as he played six minutes in their 2-1 win at Wolves on 2 January.

He joins England Under-21 colleagues Scott Sinclair and Steven Caulker at the Liberty Stadium and follows Frank Lampard in joining Swansea on loan as a teenager.