By Betsefy
Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Billy Gilmour from Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Amex Stadium in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £10m.
Gilmour becomes Graham Potter‘s fifth signing of the summer window following the arrivals of Pervis Estupinan, Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra and Levi Colwill, the latter of whom joining from Chelsea on loan.
Speaking to Brighton’s official website on Gilmour’s arrival at the club, Potter said: “Billy arrives with a fantastic pedigree, having played in the Premier League and Champions League as well as for Scotland at last year’s Euros. He will complement our existing midfield options.
“That experience at quite a young age shows the strength of character he has and we’re really excited by his potential.
“Now it’s about allowing him the time to get used to a new environment and settling in to our club. We can’t wait to work with him.”
We’re delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Billy Gilmour for undisclosed terms. 🙌
🤝 @FirstTouchGames // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 1, 2022
Gilmour began his youth career with Celtic before leaving at the age of eight to join Glaswegian rivals Rangers, where he spent eight years in the academy.
The North Ayrshire-born midfielder was in the youth ranks at Ibrox when David Weir – Brighton’s technical director – was an assistant coach under former manager Mark Warburton between 2015 and 2017.
Gilmour moved to London and joined Chelsea in the summer of 2017, before making his professional debut for the Blues two years later under Frank Lampard.
The 15-cap Scotland international was involved in two matches in the Chelsea’s 2020-21 Champions League-winning campaign, before spending last season on loan with Norwich City, making 28 first-team appearances.
Gilmour, who leaves Stamford Bridge after making a total of 22 senior appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, is eligible to make his Brighton debut in the Premier League against Leicester City on Sunday.
