Premier League giants Chelsea are set to announce their new intake of academy scholars ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Under Premier League rules, players in their U17 year must begin the upcoming season on scholarship terms before they are eligible to sign their first professional contracts upon turning 17.
Twelve talented youngsters signed scholarship deals with the Blues at a recent U18 Scholars Event, with a Nigerian defender among those who put pen to paper on two-year agreements as their families looked on.
Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that highly rated defender Emmanuel Ayinde has been promoted to Chelsea's U18 squad after signing a scholarship agreement.
Ayinde joined the Chelsea academy in September 2024, with the Fifa Club World Cup champions fending off competition from several English clubs to secure his signature.
Regarded as one of the most exciting young defenders in England, the dual-national player has previously been called up to an England U15 training camp.
Comfortable at both centre-back and left-back, Ayinde offers valuable versatility across the back line.
The youngster will now be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ola Aina, Tyrique George and Faustino Anjorin, who all progressed through Chelsea's academy before making their first-team debuts.
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