Who is Armando Broja? The Chelsea starlet loaned to Southampton

Cameron Smith

Updated: 10 Aug 2021 15:51 BST
4 min read

Armando Broja signs a new long-term contract with Chelsea — © ProShots

Chelsea are having one hell of a summer in the transfer market. Not only are the Blues set to sign Romelu Lukaku and Jules Kounde in big-money deals, but they have also been busy selling and loaning out some of their younger stars.

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Armando Broja is the latest after he was loaned out to Southampton for the season, just weeks after signing a new five-year contract at Chelsea.

The Albanian international spent last season on loan at Vitesse before being temporarily brought back to Stamford Bridge.

After the success stories of Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham, among a few others, Chelsea now look back to their old tricks. Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi have been sold, whilst several promising academy players have rejected new contracts due to a lack of a pathway to the first-team.

Broja did the opposite, however, and committed to the Blues and it will be interesting to see how well he does at Southampton.

What position does Armando Broja play?

Broja is a centre forward. He's played there throughout his time at Chelsea, and unlike some strikers who can play out wide, he's solely a No.9.

How old is Armando Broja?

Broja was born on September 10, 2001, making him 19 years old.

What is Armando Broja's height?

Broja is six-foot, three-inches tall.

How good is Armando Broja?

Broja is rated extremely highly at Chelsea, and the club view him as a future star. He was handed his first-team debut aged just 18 when he appeared off the bench in a routine Premier League victory over Everton in March 2020.

He also made his senior Albania debut at 18, and started in a World Cup qualifier against England earlier in 2021.

He spent 2020/21 on loan at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, and just like Mount before him, impressed in the Eredivisie. He netted 11 goals in all competitions, in 24 starts, and helped the side to a top-four finish and to the KNVB Cup final.

His ability in front of goal has been demonstrated through the Chelsea academy, and in the 2019/20 season, he scored 12 goals and assisted one in 19 games for the U18 and U23 side.

Due to his height, Broja is often used as a target man, but he is deceptively quick, and is most certainly a penalty-box predator, with many of his goals coming via rebounds, or simply being in the right place at the right time. His link-up play is excellent, and he often receives the ball in a deep position, finds his winger and makes his way into the box.

Broja is a talented forward with an eye for goal, and he's shown that he is at least ready for a shot at the first-team.