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It has been a big blow for Chelsea, as young right-back Tariq Lamptey has departed the club to join Brighton permanently.

Lamptey has been at the club since age 8, but refused to sign a new contract with the club with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Lamptey has now admitted that he was difficult to leave the club, but that he had to leave to start a new chapter.

“It was a really tough decision to leave as I’ve been at Chelsea since the age of seven and seen it all the way to the under-23s, and then the first team,” he said.

“It was a proud moment when I made my Premier League debut, but I felt that it was the right time to start a new chapter and come to this brilliant club.

“The manager and the club have shown great faith in bringing me here. I just hope I can repay their trust, and help the club reach their goals and objectives.

“They are a team on the up with a great fanbase, training ground and stadium and they have everything I need to become a better player.”