Chelsea have completed the signing of Exeter City’s 16-year-old starlet Ethan Ampadu, with a compensation fee still to be negotiated, according to getWestLondon.
Ampadu attracted attention from across the footballing world after making his first team debut for League 2 Exeter City at the age of 15 in the league cup against Championship outfit, and even picked up the Man of the Match award, putting in an excellent performance.
The teenager went on to make 13 appearances in all competitions for The Grecians, establishing himself as a decent squad player on route to Exeter’s Play-Off Final disappointment, where they lost out to Blackpool under the arch of Wembley.
Many expected star striker Ollie Watkins to be the main subject of interest flowing through St. James’ Park, but Chelsea have moved to snap up teenage sensation Ampadu.
Due to the fact he hasn’t signed a professional contract with the club yet, Chelsea were free to offer the 16-year-old a contract without paying a transfer fee, but Exeter will be entitled to hefty compensation which will later be decided by a tribunal.
Ampadu represented England at under-16 level, but made the switch to represent Wales last year, and has since won 7 combined caps for the Welsh under-17 and under-19 teams.
The 16-year-old certainly has a huge future ahead of him, but many will criticise the move to join Premier League champions Chelsea when he could stay at St. James’ Park, establish himself as a first team player and move on having played valuable competitive football.
