Trevor Chalobah has become Crystal Palace’s seventh summer signing as he put pen to paper on a season-long loan in South London.
After joining the academy at Chelsea from the age of eight, it’s fair to say that silverware and success has been a theme in Chalobah’s long journey through the age groups and into the first-team.
He was part of the club’s all-dominating youth sides of the 2010s, winning the UEFA Youth League in 2016, back-to-back FA Youth Cups in 2016 and 2017, and the Under-18s Premier League in 2017.
He was even present for the lifting of a major trophy before making his professional debut, named on the bench in the 2018 FA Cup final by Antonio Conte as Chelsea beat Manchester United.
Chalobah’s professional debut came on loan at Ipswich Town in 2018, starting against Blackburn Rovers – and his first senior goal came just a week later, scoring an equaliser against Aston Villa.
His spell at Portman Road saw him play in central midfield despite coming through the academy as a defender, while his performances earned him a new contract at Chelsea.
Another loan followed, this time to Huddersfield Town, where he played 38 games before joining Lorient in Ligue 1 for the following season.
As debuts for your boyhood club go, lifting the UEFA Super Cup isn’t a bad way to go about it.
Chalobah featured as Chelsea beat Villarreal on penalties, before making his Premier League debut three days later against Crystal Palace, scoring his first goal for the club from some 25-yards out.
He was soon a regular in the side, scoring in the Champions League against Juventus, and would go on to make 30 appearances that season.
Chalobah has since gone on to play 80 times for Chelsea, scoring five goals – including that screamer against the Eagles – and establishing himself as one of the league’s standout young defenders.
Chalobah is back in South London as he signs for Crystal Palace, with the newest member of Oliver Glasner's squad saying: "I'm delighted to join an ambitious club like Crystal Palace.
"I know some of the boys in the squad well and I'm looking forward to playing alongside them in front of the amazing support at Selhurst Park."
