Brighton complete £4m transfer deadline day move for starlet Tariq Lamptey from Chelsea
BRIGHTON have won the race to sign Chelsea academy prospect Tariq Lamptey in a £4million move that could eventually rise to £6m.
The 19-year-old defender has penned a three-and-a-half-year contract on the South Coast.
Brighton boss Graham Potter said: “We are really pleased to have secured the signing of a really exciting young talent in Tariq.
“I am now looking forward to working with Tariq on the training pitch to help him develop further, and I’m sure our supporters are looking forward to seeing him in an Albion shirt.
“With his pace and technical ability, Tariq provides us with another option on the right side of the pitch both at right-back, where we already have good competition, and also further up the pitch.”
Lamptey snubbed the offer of a new deal at Stamford Bridge and had been in talks with Lille over signing a pre-contract agreement to move to France when his contract with Chelsea ran out at the end of this season.
CHELSEA NEWS LIVE: Follow for all the latest on the Blues
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
But Potter moved quickly to persuade the starlet his best option would be to make the switch to the Amex.
Lamptey made a huge impression in his first team debut for Chelsea in the win at Arsenal and Frank Lampard was keen to keep him in his squad.
But the right-back, who can also play midfield, had concerns that his first team opportunities would be limited by competing with Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James.