In Profile: Armando Broja

Another product of Chelsea’s academy, Broja joins former teammates Tino Livramento and Dynel Simeu on the south coast as Ralph Hasenhüttl bolsters his ranks ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

A part of the Chelsea Football Club setup since 2009, Broja featured 23 times and scored twice in his first season at academy level.

The talented youngster then went on to score 23 goals in 33 appearances at academy level in the 2019/20 season. His hard work was soon rewarded as he signed his first professional contract in February 2020.

Broja then made his professional debut at Stanford Bridge in March 2020, replacing Olivier Giroud in the 86th minute in Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Everton.

The talented forward spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Dutch side SBV Vitesse, scoring his first league goal in a 2-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.

During his time in the top flight of Dutch football, Broja netted 11 goals in 34 appearances – making him the joint top scorer in the Eredivisie.

Internationally, Broja made his debut for Albania in an Under-19 match against Kosovo Under 19’s.

Shortly after, he went on to feature for his country at Under-21 level, scoring two decisive goals in a home victory over Wales’ Under-21’s.

He made his senior debut for Albania three days before his 19th birthday, in a 1-0 home defeat to Lithuania in September 2020.

Saints’ acquisition of the 19-year-old will offer Ralph Hasenhüttl a new dimension on the attacking front, with the Albanian international certain to impress on his season-long loan on the south coast.