Chelsea have signed Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder joins the Blues on a six-year deal and becomes their second signing of the window, after the addition of defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
The deal comes the day after left-back Ian Maatsen moved in the other direction, going from Chelsea to Villa.
Welcome to Chelsea, Omari Kellyman. 👊 pic.twitter.com/B4p7BY30GT
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 29, 2024
"I have seen young players stepping into the team and playing week in, week out, in the Premier League and I feel like I will be able to take my opportunity as and when it comes," Kellyman told Chelsea's official website.
"I want to be successful in the Chelsea shirt; to win games and hopefully trophies. [Over time] hopefully, I can become one of the faces on the side of the stadium. I want to become a big player for this club."
See: Kellyman on family support, confidence and ambitions
Chelsea's first pre-season fixture is on 24 July against Wrexham in California, USA, and they then kick off their Premier League campaign on 18 August when they host champions Manchester City.
Who is he?
Born in Derby, Kellyman started his football journey at Derby County's academy, joining at the age of six and staying for 10 years before moving to Aston Villa in 2022.
A left-footed and versatile attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring goals, he is capable of playing both as a midfielder and as a forward, either on the wing or centrally.
He signed his first professional contract in September 2022 and participated in the inaugural Premier League Summer Series in July 2023, making two substitute appearances, including a notable 45-minute performance against Newcastle United where he contributed to the third goal.
Kellyman made his first start for Villa in the UEFA Conference League qualifying round against Hibernian in August 2023, assisting a goal for Leon Bailey, and he went on to make late substitute appearances against Ajax and Olympiacos in Villa's run to the semi-finals.
He signed a new long-term contract last October, before making his Premier League debut in April's match against Manchester City and then featuring against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
Kellyman also netted seven times in 12 matches for Villa's Premier League 2 team last campaign. He was previously nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month award in February 2023, thanks to his impressive three goals and two assists in three matches.
An England youth international, he has also represented Northern Ireland Under-19s.
Kellyman follows in the footsteps of Carney Chukwuemeka, another highly-rated youngster who made the switch from Villa to Chelsea in August 2022.
