Chelsea striker Armando Broja is expected to complete his season-long loan move to the Blues on Thursday, TWTD understands.

The 22-year-old has been in Ipswich today to undergo a medical with the deal set to be formalised tomorrow.

It’s understood the switch would become permanent next summer if the Blues stay up in an overall deal worth more than £30 million.

Broja was initially linked with Town early on the summer before reports that Town had made a loan approach emerged late last week.

The prospect of the move happening was played down by various sources, however, we understand the player and his representatives visited Playford Road on Friday and that appears to have swung things in Town’s direction.

Slough-born Broja, who is 6ft 3in tall, moved to Stamford Bridge from Tottenham’s youth set-up in 2009.

Since then, he has spent time on loan at Vitesse, Southampton and Fulham, while making 11 starts and 27 sub appearances, scoring three goals for his parent club.

His stint with the Saints saw him net nine times in 24 starts and 14 games from the bench, while the spell at Fulham in the second half of last season saw him make only eight sub appearances without finding the net.

Capped by Albania at full level 23 times, scoring five goals, and featuring at Euro 2024, Broja had previously been linked with a move to Everton.

Premier League clubs are allowed only two domestic loans at one time, four over the course of a season, as well as six international loans, although with exemptions relating to players under-21.

Town have already recruited Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City and Broja would mean they wouldn't be able to bring in anyone else on a domestic loan.

Broja will be the Blues’ second Albanian international following in the footsteps of Town academy product Armando Dobra, while former Blues defender Freddie Veseli switched his allegiance to Albania after leaving Portman Road.

The Broja signing would mean Town now have 25 players who qualify for the 25-man squad, but it's almost certain Freddie Ladapo will move on before the end of the window, while the likes of Cieran Slicker, Ali Al-Hamadi and Marcus Harness could go out on loan.

Photo: Nderim Kaceli/IPA Sport / ipa-agency.net/IPA/Sipa USA

ruds added 19:52 - Aug 21 Can’t say that KMc hasn’t been backed and hopefully we can say that Broja’a goals were the crucial factor in keeping us up. I don’t care what the fee is if we stay up but I’m feeling more confident as we trend beyond this weekend into the Fulham match at PR. Mr Ashton well done by the way…
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Leejames99 added 20:10 - Aug 21 Great signing, he was immense at the Euros, will know Hutchinson well so will settle in quick, just left wing and experienced CB - Joel Matip on a free and Jack Clarke wing, or go back Villa get Phillogene and they will make a nice profit, he isn't gonna play muchbthere
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peewee added 20:10 - Aug 21 I like what I see with the speed and strength from highlights reel someone put on here, but a few wayward passes and shots. fingers crossed regular games and mckenna can get them ironed out
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BuckieBlue added 20:52 - Aug 21 The Friday visit 'swung things' in our direction. The manager and setting obviously come into it but it's great the difference a PL place makes- we're now an attractive proposition. Onwards and upwards!
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ploughman added 20:57 - Aug 21 Broja is a blue! Fantastic signing again. Agree that we need a centre back as a priority now.
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Europablue added 21:31 - Aug 21 I would be happy with the squad if we did no more business.
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algarvefan added 22:41 - Aug 21 I can only really recall seeing Broja when he played for Saints last time they were in the Prem. He looks, strong, quick and very useful with a good finish on him. I feel he has yet to reach his full potential and think under the guidance of KM that will happen. If we can get Clarke in too from Sunderland then we will have had an amazing summer of signings, the club have backed KM to the hilt and well done to the chief negotiator Mark Ashton.

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Bazza8564 added 09:23 - Aug 22 Magic, and all the usual moaners have left the building! 8 comments including this on a £30m signing, it just says it all.
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Linkboy13 added 10:13 - Aug 22 It's hard to believe the amount of experience he's had at the top level and he's only 22 years old. Not the heaviest of goal scorers but that's not the be all and end all of a strikers game .
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joyousblue added 13:08 - Aug 22 The word is hes failed the medical due to an acl
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Kickingblock added 13:18 - Aug 22 That's odd Joyous? The article says that he passed his medical?
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joyousblue added 13:27 - Aug 22 Oh yeah, just so many comments on all sort of sites , saying he has an acl injury ill stay off those sites lol kickingblock
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Help added 14:12 - Aug 22 Is it because as a club we only want to announce signings late at night. so expect 9pm BST. 22nd August. 2024
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Wickets added 16:07 - Aug 22 Seems unlikely to be announced today as contract needs to be tweaked following his medical apparently. Seems it will still go through but might take a little longer .
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Kickingblock added 16:12 - Aug 22 I guess the long waits for announcements and player unveilings is down to paperwork and due diligence etc. This is big money to play with and more scrutiny required with more boxes than ever to tick?
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muccletonjoe added 17:14 - Aug 22 I don't think so
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:27 - Aug 22 We should be fairly used by now for these signing deadlines to drag on longer than projected. Doesn't stop us all hanging on TWTD to see whether it's done, though.
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Marcus added 21:35 - Aug 22 It's gone 9pm and tumbleweed. I suspect the rumours he has failed the medical may have something in it.
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GTRKing added 22:46 - Aug 22 Something holding the deal up! But let’s see he will be announced soon up the town
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Wickets added 11:38 - Aug 23 You simply don't fail a medical ! It's a summary of your condition. Remember Broja had a serious ligament condition a while ago this of course will be of consideration.
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