Chelsea agree John Swift loan move to Brentford until 31 October

Chelsea academy star John Swift will spend the next month at Brentford after the clubs have confirmed a loan agreement for the 20-year-old midfielder to play at Championship side until 31 October. Swift becomes the 34th player to be loaned out by the Premier League giants following the busy summer transfer window at West London.

Having moved to the Stamford Bridge academy from Portsmouth as an under 14, the midfielder progressed through the Blues youth ranks until Jose Mourinho handed him his first-team debut on the final day of the 2013-2014 season after replacing Eden Hazard in a 2-1 victory at Cardiff – being previously part of the Under-21 team that won the league in that campaign.

The youngster has represented England at every level from Under-16 to Under-20, and last season already had two different loan spells at Rotherham United and Swindon Town.

He started the new season at the Under 21 side but the Blues have now opted once again to send him on loan, this time to Brentford, to continue his development in the Championship.

"John Swift has today joined Championship side Brentford on a one-month loan," Chelsea have confirmed.

Meanwhile, new Brentford boss Lee Carsley, who recently took charge of the club to replace Marinus Dijkhuizen, has hailed Swift's arrival while confirming he will be available for the next game against Derby County on Saturday 3 October.

"John played against us for Chelsea's Development Squad level in August and was very good. He has lots of energy and can play in various positions. He likes to shoot, which is something that we want in the team," he said to the club website. "John is a really exciting player and it is great that Chelsea feel this is the right environment for him to develop."