Transfer: Chelsea announce deal for Merrick

Chelsea on Saturday announced that goalkeeper Max Merrick will spend the 2026/27 season on loan at National League side Hartlepool United.

Merrick joined the Premier League west London club at the Under-13s level.

He has become a consistent presence for Chelsea’s Under-21s, featuring across the Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup and the EFL Vertu Trophy.

The England Under-20 international has been in the Blues’ senior side’s matchday squad on 11 occasions in recent years.

This will be Merrick’s third loan spell away from Cobham after he was loaned to Hanwell Town in the 2022/23 season.

He continued his loan experience with a second move to National League South side Hampton & Richmond in 2025.