Birmingham City have signed England Under-21 captain Jake Clarke-Salter on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.
Jake Clarke-Salter Makes Birmingham City Loan Move
OFFICIAL: Blues have signed Jake Clarke-Salter on a season loan from @ChelseaFC.
The Club beat off significant competition for the @England Under-21s Captain.
Full details ? https://t.co/QJ8sNXWEC6#WelcomeJake #BCFC pic.twitter.com/lPjaykRQNH
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 24, 2019
Highly Sought After Defender
Birmingham City fought off significant competition from Leeds United and Swansea City to land the England youth skipper.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem last term, impressing along with fellow new Blues signing Dan Crowley in the Eredivisie.
Clarke-Salter is eligible to appear for the Blues in both the Sky Bet Championship and Emirates FA Cup.
From non-league Carshalton, Clarke-Salter joined Chelsea’s Academy aged nine and progressed through the ranks in rapid succession.
He made his Premier League debut in a 4-0 win at Aston Villa aged just eighteen.
The talented central defender has a plethora of youth honours attributed to his name. Clarke-Salter has lifted two UEFA Youth League titles with Chelsea, three FA Youth Cups and was part of the England squad that won the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea in 2017.
Clarke-Salter was loaned to Bristol Rovers for the 2016-17 season but suffered a fractured arm.
He appeared for Chelsea in the EFL Cup in September 2017 before heading out on loan to Sunderland in January.
Clarke-Salter had held talks with Steven Gerrard at the Toulon Tournament regarding a move to Rangers; however, the defender instead chose to move to Holland and Vitesse for the 2018-19 campaign.
The 21-year-old was named England Under-21 captain for the European Championship in Italy in June; however, the tournament was not as successful as planned for Aidy Boothroyd’s side.
At 6ft 1in, Clarke-Salter is a daunting figure that will provide competition for a starting position in Pep Clotet’s side.
