Tottenham Hotspur completed the signing of Chelsea academy starlet Jude Soonsup-Bell on a permanent transfer. The striker has arrived on a deal until 2025 and will join the development squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. His Chelsea contract was due to expire this summer and discussions involving an extension had stalled, which prompted the prodigy to make the move to North London.
Tottenham Hotspur Confirm Capture of Highly-Rated Chelsea Academy Product Jude Soonsup-Bell
We are pleased to confirm the addition of Jude Soonsup-Bell to our Development Squad.
Welcome to Spurs, Jude 🙌
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 31, 2023
Jude Soonsup-Bell’s Seven-Year Chelsea Journey Comes to an End
The Chippenham-born forward originally joined The Blues’ academy from Swindon aged 12 and was one of the most accomplished members within the youth system. During the 2019-20 campaign, he scored 26 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions for various Chelsea youth sides. Then in February 2021, he became the first Chelsea player in 59 years to find the net four times in an FA Youth Cup tie.
Internationally he was also highly regarded – he represented England at four different youth levels and scored six goals for the under-16s, which was twice the rate of Jude Bellingham. His heralded and impressive reputation meant that he made his first team debut against Brentford in the Carabao Cup in December 2021. Earlier that year he also signed his first professional contract and it appeared he was beginning to make serious strides to becoming properly integrated into the first team.
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However, it was revealed to The Athletic that Chelsea “prodigy” Soonsup-Bell’s progress had halted over the past year and this was reflected by his stuttering form. During the 2020/21 season he netted 18 times in 18 games, but across the last three Premier League 2 campaigns, he has only mustered five goals in 35 appearances. This led the Chelsea hierarchy to question his first-team credentials and they sanctioned his eventual sale.
Fresh Start for Prodigy in North London
Simon Johnson from the Athletic reported that Soonsup-Bell chose Spurs as he feels they can offer a clearer and more plausible pathway into the first team. The forward will likely spend the rest of the season with the U-21 squad but will be hoping for a better pathway to the first team than was offered at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs have been one of the busiest clubs during this window and Soonsup-Bell is their second addition following the loan of Arnaut Danjuma. Antonio Conte’s side are also closing in on the transfer of CP Sporting defender Pedro Porro for £39.5 million. The Lilywhites are also in the process of finalising the departures of Bryan Gil, Matt Doherty and Djed Spence.
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