Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan deal.
Loftus-Cheek becomes Frank de Boer's first signing as Palace manager, and Chelsea hope the move will enable the 21-year-old to gain regular first-team experience.
"I had the option of coming to Palace and I thought that it would be great for me," Loftus-Cheek told Palace's official website. "I live not too far away, I was born in Lewisham and Palace is good club so I thought it's a good chance to play here and be a part of the team.
"They have a very strong team and I'd like to be a part of that this season."
Welcome @rubey_lcheek on a season-long loan! ��#CPFC �� have completed a #CheekyLoan signing from @ChelseaFC...
➡ https://t.co/TLZg2nY0kH pic.twitter.com/dWawIQz24E
- Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 12, 2017
Having joined Chelsea's academy at the age of eight, Loftus-Cheek has established himself as one of the club's brightest home-grown prospects since John Terry, playing a key role in winning two FA Youth Cups, the under-21 Premier League and UEFA Youth League.
But his progress has stalled since making the transition to Chelsea's first-team squad and he was given just six substitute appearances in the Premier League under Antonio Conte last season.
Loftus-Cheek has represented England at every youth level, but missed this summer's European Under-21 Championship in Poland due to a back injury.