Peterborough pounce on Chelsea reject

Lloyd Opara’s dreams of signing for Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea may have been dashed, but the young striker has been given the chance to make the grade in the Football League by Peterborough.

Opara, a prolific goalscorer for Southern Premier League side Cheshunt this season, was handed a well-publicised trial with Jose Mourinho’s side last week.

But the 22-year-old failed to impress among the superstars at Stamford Bridge and has now lowered his sights by joining League Two promotion hopefuls Peterborough on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent switch in the summer.

Peterborough boss Steve Bleasdale, who had offered Opara a trial before the Blues came calling, was delighted to finally get his man.

“We have obviously been trying to bring Lloyd to the club for a little while and I am pleased to have signed him,” said Bleasdale.

“He is very quick and loves to get in behind the defence.”