Chelsea midfielder Jacob Maddox is delighted with his loan move to Southampton.

The deal is until the end of the 2019/20 season, but includes an option to buy.

Maddox told the Saints website: “It feels great. It's a massive club, great facilities here, great youth set-up. I feel like it's a club that comes with opportunities too, so I feel like if I can get my head down, work hard, something can come from it.

“You look at the first-team and you've got Yan Valery in the team, James Ward-Prowse. So there's definitely a pathway there for players that are capable and want to put the work in.

“I want to show a good impression to the academy staff and the first-team staff if I get the opportunity. Like I said, with the pathway here, the proof is in the pudding. There are players here who have come through the academy, so it's definitely a club with opportunity."

Academy Director Matt Hale said: “Jacob is someone we know very well, having come up against him many times for Chelsea at under-18 and under-23 level recently. He always gave us problems and was influential in those games, catching the eye with his creativity and guile.

“Having already played league football, represented England at most youth levels and won major youth competitions with Chelsea, we are delighted to sign a young player with so much experience.

“We believe Jacob has lots of potential and look forward to continuing his development at Southampton."