Chelsea Loan Armando Broja to Fulham

Armando Broja is set to play for Fulham on loan from Chelsea through the 2023/24 season, having recently completed the signing process.

Chelsea had been attempting to transfer Broja prior to the deadline on Thursday. Originally, they were pushing for a permanent move, holding their stance for a significant part of January.

However, Chelsea shifted their approach on deadline day and considered accepting loan offers, as long as they included a fee. Fulham secured Broja amidst competition from Wolves, after the former suffered an injury to Raul Jimenez.

The transition was confirmed shortly after midnight on Friday with Fulham submitting a deal sheet to the Premier League.

Reports suggest that Fulham will pay an initial £750,000 to Chelsea, but the sum can potentially rise to £4m given certain terms are fulfilled.

In the recent past, Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino likened Broja to Harry Kane, although the former was noticeably sidelined in Chelsea's 4-1 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.

As an Albania international player, Broja has contributed two goals and two assists in 19 Chelsea matches this season, often falling behind Nicolas Jackson. With Jackson returning from AFCON duties with Senegal, Pochettino has occasionally substituted him with Cole Palmer as the forward.

This represents Broja's first loan move away from Chelsea since the 2021/22 season, during which he contributed nine goals in 38 games for Southampton.

Furthermore, Broja plans on representing Albania in Euro 2024, despite an injury keeping him out of the latter half of their qualifying matches.