LONDON – Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, who impressed for Scotland at Euro 2020, has joined Norwich on a season-long loan deal, the English Premier League club
announced.
The 20-year-old shone in a goalless draw against England at Wembley last month before having to self-isolate after returning a positive coronavirus test.
Last season he made a total of 11 senior appearances in all competitions as Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League and won their second Champions League title.
“I’ve been looking forward to coming here, playing as much as possible and helping Norwich City competes in the Premier League,” Gilmour told Norwich’s website according to AFP.
“I spoke to the head coach (Daniel Farke). He called me and we had a nice talk about how he wants to play and how he sees me fitting in.
“Everything he said was what I want to do on the pitch, get the ball down and play nice football. He spoke really highly of his team and I wanted to come here and help.”
Norwich, promoted from the Championship in April, reportedly faced competition from other Premier League clubs, but Farke said their reputation helped sway Gilmour.
“I think it helped that in the past we have shown that young players with potential are in good hands here at Norwich City,” he said.
“We are delighted to bring Billy in because we’ve lost some players in that area.”
Elsewhere, Juan Mata has signed a new one-year deal with Manchester United to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2022, the Premier League club announced.
The 33-year-old Spain international joined from Chelsea in 2014 and has made 273 appearances for United, scoring 51 goals.
“Dubbed a magician on the pitch and a gentleman off it, Mata has become one of the most popular players in recent United history and he is highly respected by all of his team-mates,” the club said in a statement.
“The World Cup winner’s influence on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young, improving squad is invaluable.”
