Manchester City confirm signing of former Chelsea midfielder – Deal described as a ‘big one’

Manchester City have secured their latest hot prospect for their Academy ranks ahead of the new season with the signing of a former Chelsea talent, it has been confirmed.

It was first reported in early June that the teenage prospect was one player looking very likely to leave Chelsea’s youth ranks, with initial rumours of interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool having signed to an agency ran by the brother of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

With no confirmation on the matter, the same report courtesy of The Secret Scout also tipped Manchester City with interest, despite a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place between the two clubs to not go for each other’s talents.

Having also visited Arsenal as part of his weighing up of options this summer, a deal had already been put in place with the Premier League champions, making him the first player to leave at under-16 level between the two clubs.

Now, according to the information of transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have completed a deal to sign former Chelsea Academy starlet Ryan McAidoo, following his exit from the Cobham ranks this summer.

The 16-year-old is confirmed to have penned a long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium, and is described as being a ‘marquee signing’ for Manchester City’s Academy system, and a ‘big one’ for club officials Thomas Krucken and Sam Fagbemi.

McAidoo made only a handful of appearances for Chelsea in the club’s most-recent under-18 Premier League campaign, whilst having also represented England at under-17 level twice against Northern Ireland and Hungary in the European Championship qualifiers.

The player is known to possess exceptional ball control abilities, as well as speed, precise passing and shooting traits which have clearly been noted by talent scouts at the City Football Academy.

Manchester City have built up a strong reputation for taking on some of the best young talents in the business, and from all corners of the globe too, developing names throughout the City Football Group portfolio or directly within their Manchester training base.