The 2017-18 season ended officially one month and one day ago when Chelsea beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final, and judging by the lack of any substantial transfer activity — or any at all in fact — at the club, you could be forgiven for thinking that Chelsea are asleep at the wheel. That’s doubly true if we compared the men’s team to the Chelsea Women, who recently signed their third player of the summer already.
But that’s no longer true as on Tuesday, the first new loan move of the 2018-19 season has been confirmed! Chelsea U23 captain Ruben Sammut, 20, has joined Falkirk of the Scottish Championship on loan for the season. Transfer season is officially open!
✍️ Falkirk FC is delighted to announce the signing of Chelsea FC Under 23 Captain, Ruben Sammut on a season long loan.
— Falkirk FC (@falkirkbairns) June 19, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/qE5poGn3UC #YourClub #COYB pic.twitter.com/rTMVguyf3I
Chelsea did submit retained and released lists to the Premier League last month, which included 10 players who are or will be leaving for free this summer. That includes Harvey St Clair who chose to sign with Serie B side Venezia. St Clair was born in London but capped for Scotland at youth level and had been at Chelsea since before age 8, but he chose to deviate from the usual development path and loan madness.
Fellow Scotland international Ruben Sammut has not. Instead, he’s signed a new one-year contract and joined the Scottish second division outfit. Sammut was also born in England but has represented Scotland at youth level and has been at Chelsea since before age 8.
Good luck, Ruben!
New signing, Ruben Sammut speaks to Falkirk TV after signing a season long loan from Chelsea FC #YourClub pic.twitter.com/DqUeWPYVir
— Falkirk FC (@falkirkbairns) June 19, 2018