Sky Bet Championship side Sunderland have agreed to take Chelsea Jake Clarke-Salter on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 20-year-old spent the entirety of last season on loan with Sky Bet League One side Bristol Rovers, where he made 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Sunderland confirmed the signing earlier today on their official Twitter account.
✍️ #SAFC have completed the loan signing of Jake Clarke-Salter until the end of the season.
FULL STORY ➡️ https://t.co/KQzPQt9dAR pic.twitter.com/NsElc7kAPB
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 8, 2018
But instead of going on loan at the start of the campaign, Blues manager Antonio Conte opted to keep the centre back to add depth to his small squad.
However, Clarke-Salter has only featured once for the Premier League Champions’ first team this season.
The centre-back has represented England at Under 18,19 and 20 levels, with a combined total of 21 youth caps. He was also part of the Under 20s side that won the 2017 FIFA Under 20s World Cup in South Korea.
Defensively, the Black Cats have struggled so far this season, having only kept four clean sheets in the league during the current campaign, all of which have come since Chris Coleman took charge of the side in November.
However, the side currently have the second worst defensive record in the entire of the Sky Bet Championship, only Hull City have conceded more times than them this season.
Clarke-Salter may have found the perfect short-term home, at an established club with an experienced manager and where is likely to get game time under his belt.
Sunderland’s next league match is away at promotion chasers Cardiff, knowing that a win could move them out of the relegation zone. The new signing from Chelsea could make his debut for Coleman’s side at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
