Chelsea sends Prince Adegoke out on loan to National League South club Welling United

ENGLISH Premier League giants Chelsea have sent Nigerian-born goalkeeper Prince Adegoke out on a season-long loan to National League South club Welling United for the duration of the 2022/23 season.

Originally signed as an U13 youth academy product, Adegoke, 18, came through the ranks at Chelsea and signed his first professional contract with the club last year upon turning 17. Already well known to the Nigerian Football Federation, Adegoke was invited to the Golden Eaglets camp in 2019.

Now that he has turned an adult, Chelsea have decided to send the youngster out on loan where he can get playing time. Édouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Jamie Cumming and  Teddy Sharman-Lowe are all ahead of Adegoke in the pecking order of goalkeepers at Stamford Bridge.

Welling United have confirmed this evening that Adegoke will be spending the entirety of the 2022/23 season on loan with them. Although the club plays in the sixth tier of English football, Adegoke is going to be playing senior men's football over the forthcoming season, compared with the youth teams he has featured for in the past.

Last season, Adegoke was invited to train with Chelsea's first team goalkeepers but did not  receive a call-up for a senior game. Adegoke's qualities as a goalkeeper are his shot stopping, coming out for crosses, commanding his area and he is good with his feet as well.