Chelsea snap up England youth star released by Championship side on free transfer

Chelsea have signed England youth international Kian Best on a free transfer after his release from Preston North End.

The 19-year-old left-back has completed his medical and signed a contract with the Blues and is expected to immediately join the club’s development squad.

Best has also represented England at Under-19 level on seven occasions, scoring on his debut against Romania in November 2023.

Best made his senior debut for Preston at the start of the 2023-24 season, making 12 Championship appearances.

The versatile defender fell out of favour under Paul Heckingbottom the following season, featuring twice in the Carabao Cup before joining League of Ireland side Bohemians on loan in January.

Best’s contract at Preston expired this summer with the youngster initially claiming he discovered he was being released by his hometown club on Instagram.

Preston chief Peter Risdale denied his claim with Best later deleting the post.

Best becomes the latest addition in west London in what has been another busy summer for Chelsea.

On Wednesday, the club confirmed the arrival of Joao Pedro from Brighton in a deal worth £60million.

The Brazil international is set to immediately join up with Enzo Maresca’s squad and could feature in the Club World Cup.

Jamie Gittens will also join from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £55m. He will link up with his new teammates after the tournament in the United States, ineligible having already played for Borussia Dortmund in it.

Liam Delap joined the Blues from Ipswich Town in June with Mamadou Sarr also making the move from Strasbourg.

Darrio Essugo is another new arrival after Chelsea struck an agreement with Sporting CP in March while the club are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Estevao Willian, who will link up with his new teammates after the Club World Cup.

He could even line up against his new club when Palmeiras take on Chelsea in their quarter-final clash this week.