Chelsea get their man! Blues complete £19m deal to sign youngster Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa

Aston Villa confirmed on Saturday that the attacking midfielder has completed a move to Stamford Bridge. The youngster joined The Villans in 2022 from Derby County and made his senior debut for the club last season against Hibernian Europa Conference League play-off tie. He appeared in six Premier League games across the campaign and played his first-ever league game against champions Manchester City.

The official statement from the club read: "Aston Villa can confirm that Omari Kellyman has joined Chelsea. The attacking midfielder signed for Villa from Derby County as a youngster before penning a scholarship in July 2022.

"His impressive form for the Academy saw him included on the pre-season tour of America in 2023 and he was handed his senior debut against Hibernian in our Europa Conference League play-off. Kellyman went on to make his Premier League bow against Manchester City during the 2023/24 campaign, one of six senior appearances for the club."

The Blues have reportedly paid a transfer fee in the region of £19 million ($24m/€22m) as the youngster joined them on a six-year deal with an option to extend the contract by a year. After putting pen on paper on the long-term contract, Kellyman told Chelsea's official website, "It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started."

The teenager is expected to join the Chelsea squad next month. The Blues, under Enzo Maresca's management, will jet off to the US for pre-season where they are set to take on Wrexham, Manchester City and Real Madrid.