Marc Guehi: Chelsea defender joins Swansea City on loan
- Published
Marc Guehi (right) was a member of Steve Cooper's England Under-17s side which won the 2017 World Cup
Swansea City have signed Chelsea's 19-year-old defender Marc Guehi on loan until the end of the season.
Guehi, who has played twice for Chelsea, was part of the England Under-17 team that won the 2017 World Cup under Swans boss Steve Cooper.
Guehi follows another member of that side, Liverpool's Rhian Brewster, by joining Swansea on loan.
The deal is understood to include an option to extend the loan for a further season this summer.
"I know this is a big chance and a step up for me into the men's game, I am really excited to be here," Guehi told the Swansea website.
"The gaffer is a big part of the reason for coming here having worked before with him at England Under-17 level.
"It was huge for me. You are coming to a place where you are unfamiliar with your surroundings, so to have that familiar face really helps in terms of getting down to work."
Guehi is capable of playing at full-back but is primarily a central defender.
Born in the Ivory Coast, he moved to England as a child and signed for Chelsea at under-eight level.
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He made his senior debut for the Blues in their Carabao Cup win over Grimsby in September and featured against Manchester United in the same competition the following month.
He gives Swansea, who are sixth in the Championship, a welcome alternative option at the back with Joe Rodon working his way back to fitness after a long-term ankle injury and Mike van der Hoorn battling a knee problem.
"We are in a play-off place. If we can try to push towards those automatic spots that would be great," Guehi added.
"If not then we will be aiming for the play-offs. To go to Wembley, give the fans that big day out, and hopefully get promoted would be amazing.
"This club knows what it takes to be in the big time, and it's important we get back to that."
Striker Brewster joined Swansea on loan for the rest of the season on Tuesday.
Brewster and Guehi, who have roomed together when on England duty, could both make Swansea debuts in Sunday's south Wales derby at Cardiff City.
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