West Brom sign Chelsea defender Gilchrist

Alfie Gilchrist helped Sheffield United reach the Championship play-off final last season

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist on a four-year contract.

Although the fee for the 21-year-old is officially undisclosed, it is understood to be for an initial £1.2m and could rise to £2m with add-ons.

The Chelsea academy graduate played 17 times for the Blues under Mauricio Pochettino in a breakthrough season in 2023-24 and scored his first goal in a 6-0 win against Everton in the Premier League in April last year.

Gilchrist spent last season on loan with Sheffield United, making 30 appearances in the Championship.

His move to The Hawthorns came on the same day the club announced the departure of defender Caleb Taylor to Millwall.

Gilchrist is Albion head coach Ryan Mason's seventh signing of the summer - and second in as many days following the arrival of fellow defender Chris Mepham from Bournemouth.

"Alfie knows the league well, joining us off the back of a loan in the Championship last season, and has shown consistent improvement," Baggies sporting director Andrew Nestor said.

"His addition reinforces our defensive positions where we now have a healthy mix of relatively young, but experienced, players combined with those that have great potential."

Albion have also sold Darnell Furlong to Ipswich and expect winger Tom Fellows to complete a move to Southampton in a deal that could be worth £10m.