Norwich City have completed the permanent signing of Chelsea under-21 captain and England youth international defender Billy Gee.
The teenager has joined the Canaries on a free transfer plus add-ons, with Chelsea also inserting a sell-on clause into the deal. City are long-term admirers of the youngster and have timed their run to add him to their development squad.
Gee’s move to Norwich ends a long association with Chelsea, the club where he has developed since joining their academy as an under-eight.
A ball-playing central defender, Gee joins Brandon Forbes in securing a permanent deadline day switch to Carrow Road.
An England U19 international, Gee was named as a substitute in their Carabao Cup final defeat against Liverpool in February. The Tooting-born defender signed his first professional contract at Stamford Bridge in August 2022 and had a year left to run.
Gee has made 47 appearances for Chelsea’s U18s and U21s and was named captain of their development side after Alfie Gilchrist, who played against City for Sheffield United last weekend, stepped up to the first-team squad.
He began his career at Stamford Bridge as a midfielder before converting into a central defender, where he has played for the last season.
Welcome to Norwich City, Billy Gee 🟡
The defender joins the club from Chelsea to form part of City's development and academy set-up 🔰
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) August 30, 2024
Gee will join City’s U21 squad initially with further outgoings expected before the 11pm deadline. Waylon Renecke and Jonathan Tomkinson are poised for permanent exits whilst Lewis Shipley joined Cheltenham on a loan move until January.
Discussing his move to Carrow Road, the teenager told the club’s official channels: “I’m very happy, it’s the start of a new chapter. I’m ready for the new challenge.
“I was captain last season for the (Chelsea) Under-21s so I think I can bring leadership skills and I think I can bring a lot of on-the-ball ability.
“I hope I can break through and try to push for the first team.”
City are also working on a permanent deal that will see Middlesbrough midfielder AJ Bridge become their third development signing of a frantic deadline day at Carrow Road.
Liverpool winger Kaide Gordon is in Norfolk putting the finishing touches on his season-long loan move from Liverpool with Abu Kamara set to complete a permanent transfer to Hull after the clubs agreed a deal that could rise above £5m including add-ons.
