Everton seal late deadline day move for Chelsea's Broja

Armando Broja in action for ChelseaImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Armando Broja has won 23 international caps for Albania

Everton have signed Chelsea forward Armando Broja on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent next summer.

The 22-year-old Albania international had looked set to complete a deadline day move to Ipswich.

But a late twist saw the Merseyside club submit a deal sheet before the 23:00 BST deadline for the striker, who is expected to be out until mid-October with a foot injury.

Broja, whose current deal at Chelsea expires in 2028, has previously had three loan spells away from the Blues at Vitesse Arnhem, Southampton and Fulham.

Everton's director of football, Kevin Thelwell, said: "Having monitored Armando's journey for a number of years, we're very pleased to have been able to bring him to the club.

"Armando is still a young player who has already built up some impressive experience but someone we also feel has lots more potential to be unlocked."

Everton are yet to score a Premier League goal this season and manager Sean Dyche will hope that, when he is fit, the addition of Broja will add some much-needed potency to their attacking play.

With Orel Mangala joining the club on loan from Lyon on Friday, Broja becomes the sixth new player to join Dyche's squad this summer after midfielder Tim Iroegbunam, defender Jake O'Brien, attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye and on-loan winger Jesper Lindstrom.