Independiente del Valle midfielder Kendry Paez signs documents ahead of 2025 Chelsea move | OneFootball

Independiente del Valle midfielder Kendry Paez has signed his documents ahead of a move to Chelsea, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The 15-year-old will join the Blues in 2025 on a long-term contract.

Chelsea have given out long-term deals to their recent signings, and Paez has been handed one.

The Colombian will join the Stamford Bridge club in a deal worth almost €20 million.

An official statement from Chelsea is expected soon, with the deal already struck in February.

Paez is widely regarded as one of the best teenage sensations in his country and South America.

The fact that the Blues were not ready to wait until he is 18 before signing him speaks volumes.

Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United were keen on the youngster, and Chelsea made a smart move to steal a march on them.

Paez was promoted to the Independiente first team a few months ago, making his debut in February.

He bagged a goal in the game, becoming the youngest debutant and youngest goalscorer in the Ecuadorian top flight.

The Ecuador under-17 starlet was omitted from his country’s under-20 squad for the 2023 South American under-20 Championship.

Independiente kept him to facilitate his transition into their first team, and it has since gone well.

The soon-to-be Chelsea kid grew up modelling his game after Lionel Messi and they share a similar dribbling style.

Paez will look to keep developing to be ready for the Premier League.