An 18-year-old footballer has made a big move to Chelsea after leaving Hearts.
Alfie Osborne has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League club, having been sought-after by a number of teams across Europe.
The young defender, who was a key player for the Hearts B team, even held talks with Barcelona before deciding on Chelsea.
He is the latest in a line of young players to leave the Scottish club for the Premier League, joining Keir McMeekin and Boyd Fraser who also left this summer.
Chelsea will reportedly pay a six-figure compensation fee of around £400,000 for the player who has come through the club's academy.
Osborne made his mark by captaining Scotland's under-19s earlier this year, having also led Hearts to their first Scottish Youth Cup final success in 26 years.
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He was named both B team player of the year and Players’ Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season.
A club statement from Chelsea said: "Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of Alfie Osborne, with the 18-year-old putting pen to paper on a contract with the Blues until 2030.
"The teenager joins the club from Scottish side Hearts, where he won their B team’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards for 2025/26.
"After switching from midfield to centre-back last season, Osborne captained Hearts’ Under-18s side to glory in the Scottish FA Youth Cup final.
"He also played 28 times for Hearts B in the Lowland Football League, the fifth tier of senior football in Scotland.
"Osborne has represented Scotland several times at youth level, most recently captaining his country in qualifying for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship."
