Ecuadorian ultra-prospect Kendry Paez (16-Independiente del Valle) has confirmed his move to Chelsea.
“The club has agreed to sign teenage midfielder Paez,” Chelsea said on its official website on Friday (June 5), adding, “The 18-year-old combines skillful dribbling and passing with vision and technique. He has built a reputation in South America as a creative and youthful talent.”
Paez has recently become a household name among Korean soccer fans. He recently took the field for Ecuador in their FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match against South Korea on June 2. South Korea defeated Ecuador 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals, then beat Nigeria 1-0 on the fifth to advance to the semifinals.
Heading into the round of 16, South Korea was under a “parasite warning. While most of the players at the U-20 World Cup were still unknowns, Paes was already a household name in his home country’s professional scene. He had already made a name for himself in the professional ranks in his home country, beating out his older brothers by four years. He was considered one of the most difficult players for South Korea to stop. While he didn’t score, he was a threat in full-time action, winning a penalty kick.
Even before the U-20 World Cup, news of an impending signing surfaced. Chelsea made an early bid for the teenager in January 메이저사이트, which was finalized two years later. “Paez scored two goals and provided six assists in the U-17 Copa America and started all four of Ecuador’s games at the U-20 World Cup this summer, adding a goal and three assists,” Chelsea said.
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano added: “Paez will join the club in 2025. He has signed a long-term contract and his medical was completed in London in April.” “The transfer fee is close to 20 million euros ($28 million), but most of it is in the form of add-ons.”
Paez made his debut in Ecuador’s Serie A this season, scoring one goal in five league appearances. He broke the record for the youngest debutant and goal scorer in Ecuador’s top flight.