Jude Soonsup-Bell sends emotional Chelsea message after joining Tottenham on free transfer

Jude Soonsup-Bell has bid an emotional farewell to Chelsea after joining London rivals Tottenham on deadline day.

The 19-year-old ended a seven-year spell in west London by moving to Spurs on a free transfer.

Once seen as one of the most promising young players in Europe, the striker is expected to line up for the club’s U21 side before a likely loan exit this summer.

Chelsea retain a sell-on fee for the striker, who made his first-team debut in 2021 while under the management of Thomas Tuchel.

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Manchester City had previously been credited with an interest in the forward, though Soonsup-Bell instead joins Carlo Cudicini, Gus Poyet and Frode Grodas as the only players to swap Chelsea for Tottenham in the Premier League era.

While his departure is unlikely to have a huge impact on Chelsea in the short-term, there will likely be a need for the Blues to sell to rivals, with wealth in football hoarded in England and academy-to-academy transfers on the rise after Brexit.

Taking to Twitter, Soonsup-Bell wrote: ”I’ve had the privilege to be part of @ChelseaFC since the age of 12, it’s been a massive part of my life and my development as a football player.

“I want to thank all my team mates, coaching staff and everyone else at the club for all the memorable years and support.”