The Millers have signed John Swift on loan...
Rotherham United have today agreed the signing of Chelsea midfielder and England youth team starlet John Swift on a season-long loan deal.
Swift, 19, has represented England at Under 16, 17, 18 and 19 level and made his Premier League debut as a late substitute for Eden Hazard in the Blues 2-1 win at Cardiff City last season.
The talented versatile midfielder is an accomplished operator on either flank and can also play centrally, and is very highly regarded by Chelsea boss José Mourinho who has personally been involved in the decision to allow young Swift to join the Millers.
He is the latest Premier League prospect to be plucked from the top-flight by manager Steve Evans following the successful loan spells of James Tavernier and Haris Vuckic last season.
The exciting youngster had been a long-term target of the Millers chief who revealed he was in a lengthy queue of admirers for the Portsmouth-born Blues youngster.
“It has taken many weeks to secure the signature of this young man and I suppose I could say my tenacity has paid off,” boss Evans told www.themillers.co.uk
“A number of fellow Championship clubs, as well as two European clubs, were keen to sign John but thankfully he has decided his immediate footballing future is at Rotherham United.
“John is another part of the jigsaw as we get ready to embrace Championship football. He, like every player in our squad, has an important part to play but he may not be the last player in the door before the start of the season next weekend.”
Swift shot to prominence at Stamford Bridge last season when he bagged 18 goals for the Blues’ youth and reserve team, resulting in a first-team call-up from Jose Mourinho after calls in some quarters that he has the potential to be the next home grown Chelsea star.
He is now set to further expand his football education with the Millers who return to The Championship a week tomorrow for the clash with Derby at the iPro Stadium.
It remains to be seen whether manager Steve Evans will include the youngster in the squad for tomorrow’s pre-season friendly at Doncaster Rovers.