In a somewhat ironic development, Chelsea’s first signing since the lifting of the transfer ban is set to be precisely the sort of transfer that got us into trouble in the first place!
According to Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella, Bryan Fiabema will join Chelsea in January, moving from Norwegian second division side Tromsø* when the transfer window opens. Don’t worry, the kid’s just 16 (turning 17 in February), so he won’t be the attacking reinforcement Lampard has been talking about recently, nor will he fall afoul of FIFA regulations. He did join the Blues for a trial earlier this season, so hopefully we’ve avoided playing him in any sort of, even remotely semi-official organized games.
Fiabema’s Chelsea trial was confirmed by Tromsø GM Kristian Høydal, speaking to Norwegian television on Friday, though he did not go as far as confirming the transfer itself. Chelsea will reportedly pay 6 million Norwegian kroner, which translates roughly to €600,000.
With one senior appearance under his belt for Tromsø already — youngest ever for the club — the U17 Norwegian international is said to be “one of the most exciting players” (at the club? in the country?) with an eye for goal and good character in the dressing room as well. (Incidentally, his youth teammate Isak Hansen-Aarøen, one year his junior, will be joining Manchester United in the summer. What are they feeding them in Tromsø?)
Okay, hit me with your best Vitesse jokes.
*(Fans of a certain age will surely remember Tromsø for that one time Chelsea went there and lost 3-2 in the snow, in the 1997-98 Cup Winners’ Cup Round of 16 first leg. That was over five years before Fiabema was even born! Chelsea then pummeled them 7-1 in the second leg on our way to winning the whole thing. Gianluca Vialli scored five of the nine Chelsea goals on aggregate.)