New Chelsea signing Ishe Samuels-Smith has admitted his “shock” after completing a swift transfer to Stamford Bridge this weekend.
The teenage left-back officially became the latest new recruit in Chelsea’s committed youth drive on Saturday, joining from Premier League rivals Everton in a deal believed to be worth £4million.
Samuels-Smith will hope to make a quick impression at Stamford Bridge after following the likes of Norwich midfielder Alex Matos and Benfica winger Diego Moreira to west London on an initial three-year contract.
Chelsea have also signed young Brazilian winger Angelo Gabriel from Santos and plan to loan him out to new partner club Strasbourg in France next term. Jamaican forward Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards and Ecuador midfielder Kendry Paez are among the other young stars to have signed with Chelsea so far this summer.
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After signing on the dotted line, Samuels-Smith spoke of his shock and pride at joining such a high-profile club as he stated his ambition to rise quickly through the ranks.
“It was a shock to me because it all happened quickly, but I’m really glad to be here,” he told Chelsea’s official website. “It’s going to be a good experience coming into such a big club.
“It will be a new challenge because there are top players here, so I am going to have to adapt quickly and get through the levels.”
Manchester-born Samuels-Smith, who has represented England at Under-15, U16 and U17 level, had been at Everton for eight years and did not make his senior debut for the Toffees, though was named as a first-team substitute under both Frank Lampard and successor Sean Dyche.
There are plenty of further comings and goings still expected in the Chelsea academy this summer, with Standard Sport reporting on Friday that French outfit Lorient are among the clubs interested in young midfielder Ben Elliott, 20.
Chelsea are open to selling Elliott, who made his senior international debut for Cameroon in June, but will look to include a sizeable sell-on clause in any deal in the absence of a significant transfer fee.
Striker Malik Mothersille has left Chelsea despite receiving a new contract offer as he attracts plenty of interest from the Championship, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, while midfielder Tudor Mendel-Idowu has also yet to sign fresh terms despite similarly being presented with a proposal.
