CHELSEA have continued their youth stockpiling with the addition of teenage ace Yisa Alao from Sheffield Wednesday.
Alao, 17, joins as a highly rated left-back and will go into the esteemed club’s Cobham academy system.
Having made his senior debut at Hillsborough in August, Alao now bids farewell to his boyhood team.
Writing on Instagram alongside an image of himself as a baby-faced boy at a Wednesday training session, the English youngster said: “10 years, endless memories, from the staff, to my teammates, to the fans, forever grateful.
“Thank you Sheffield Wednesday.”
Alao was still 16 when he made the first-team bench for Championship matches regularly earlier this season.
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He was unused for 11 games before coming on as a late sub in a 3-0 defeat to Derby in mid-December.
The defensive hotshot started his first league game one month later and played an hour in the FA Cup during defeat to Brentford.
Alao first broke into the Carabao Cup squad after rising through the ranks as a junior.
He is the latest in a long line of teenage talent to be snapped up by Chelsea in recent years.
Since the Clearlake Capital – Todd Boehly ownership takeover in 2022 the Blues have swept up youth talent across the world.
Included in their pick-ups are Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Southampton), Zak Sturge (Brighton, sold to Millwall), Omari Hutchinson (Arsenal, sold to Nottingham Forest), Alex Matos (Norwich, sold to Sheffield United), Ishe Samuels-Smith (Everton), and Jesse Derry (Crystal Palace).
That list does not include any of the numerous foreign arrivals, often signed for bigger money like Deivid Washington or Kendry Paez.
In a statement written by Wednesday’s administrators, they said: “Yisa has developed through the Owls’ academy system and was offered a professional contract.
“Chelsea have presented him with an excellent opportunity, and after careful consideration Yisa has chosen to take the next step in his career.”
The club add: “The transfer includes a substantial upfront payment, along with further protections to ensure the club benefits should Yisa go on to fulfil the potential he has shown.
“These include performance-related payments and a significant sell-on arrangement.
“All financial terms will remain undisclosed.
Yisa’s journey is a proud moment for everyone involved in the SWFC Academy – from coaches and staff to the families who support young players every day.
“His progress highlights the strength of the pathway at Sheffield Wednesday and its ability to help young players reach the highest levels of the game.
As Administrators, our responsibility is to act in the best long-term interests of Sheffield Wednesday and its creditors.
“This transfer balances immediate value for the club with protection for the future, should Yisa’s career develop as we all hope.
“We would like to thank Yisa for his commitment and professionalism during his time at Hillsborough, and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”
