Softfootball can confirm that Chelsea has completed the signing of 18-year-old winger Jesse Derry from Crystal Palace, finalising a deal that was agreed between the clubs last week.
Derry joins the Blues as part of Chelsea’s continued investment in emerging domestic talent and is expected to link up with the club’s development squad initially.
The teenager, who featured regularly for Palace at the U18 level and made appearances in Premier League 2, is regarded as a technically sharp wide player with strong dribbling ability and intelligent movement off the ball.
According to Fabrizio Romano, he indicated that Derry has officially joined the Blues after all papers have been signed. Fabrizio wrote on his X handle about the latest addition in the Chelsea camp.
He tweeted:
“18 year old winger Jesse Derry signs in at Chelsea after deal sealed with Crystal Palace last week.”
While a first-team breakthrough may not be immediate, Derry’s arrival aligns with Chelsea’s longer-term recruitment strategy, which has seen a stream of academy-age players brought into the fold over the past 18 months.
Derry’s deal is amongst the numerous transfers done by Chelsea so far this season. As earlier reported by Softfootball, Chelsea is still seeking to beef up their squad ahead of the new season after signing highly rated Dutch defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax for a deal worth €40 million (£35 million).
Having won the Club World Cup last June, Chelsea are still in the euphoria of their present greatness, which is drawing players to Stamford Bridge.
Hato made headlines last year by becoming the youngest player ever to captain Ajax at the age of 17. He also earned his senior debut for the Netherlands shortly after.
Most recently, he featured for the Dutch Under-21s at the European Championship in Slovakia, helping them reach the semi-finals. All this profile of Hato relishes the calibre of players Enzo Maresca wants to parade this season.
