Kendry Paez to Chelsea: Wonderkid to join first team training ahead of 2025 transfer

James Shearman

• Updated: 14 Dec 2023 21:56 GMT
• 2 min read

Chelsea signing Kendry Paez will train with the club's first team next week ahead of his official arrival in 2025, according to The Telegraph.

The 16-year-old agreed to join the Blues earlier this year but he cannot make the move until he turns 18.

However, Paez is already allowed to train with his new club, who have decided that he will do so on numerous occasions going forward.

The reason for this is to help the youngster acclimatise both on and off the pitch ahead of his permanent move.

And, if Chelsea's poor form continúes until then, perhaps he will be asked to contribute right away.

The Blues reportedly paid an initial fee of €10 million with a further €10m in potential add-ons to sign the playmaker.

With interest from Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, it was crucial that Chelsea sealed the deal as soon as possible.

It is not unrealistic to suggest that Paez will be worth double the €20m price tag in a few year's time.

What records has Kendry Paez set?

As one of the most prodigious talents of his generation, it’s little surprise that Paez has set multiple records despite still being a teenager.

On 12 October 2023, Paez became the youngest ever player to score in a South American World Cup qualifying match.

The Independiente del Valle wonderkid netted the opener in Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Bolivia at just 16 years and 161 days old. The match was just his second ever start for Ecuador’s senior team.

Furthermore, Paez is the youngest appearance-maker and youngest scorer in the Ecuadorian top flight after he scored on his debut in the competition at 15 years old.

The soon-to-be Chelsea star is also the youngest ever goal-scorer in the history of the FIFA U20 World Cup after he bagged in the tournament earlier in 2023.