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Football London 13h ago
Estevao Willian Chelsea arrival confirmed after £55m transfer
Source:Football.London -

Chelsea signing Estevao Willian was seen as something of a coup for the Blues. The teenager was chased by a number of clubs across Europe, with Chelsea splashing out an initial PS29million to sign him.

That fee could rise to PS55million with add-ons, with the 17-year-old tipped to be the next big thing in Brazil. He has high hopes for his own future, saying when he signed on the dotted line for Chelsea: "I think I have the potential to be my best self. And the best thing for me, God willing, is to be at the World Cup and be the best in the world. I think that depends a lot on me."

Estevao broke a record held by Neymar in the Brazilian league at the weekend. He registered a goal and an assist in Palmeiras' 5-3 win over Juventude, making him the most prolific 17-year-old in Brazil's Serie A ever.

The new Chelsea signing now has 18 goal involvements - 10 goals and eight assists - in the league so far this season. the previous best as a 17-year-old was that of Neymar, who had 16 goal involvements for Santos in 2009.

Estevao is seen in his home country as Brazil's next big star, with former Tottenham man Sandro saying he "is the sort of player that can change the future for Brazil, he is one of those players".

So when will he actually arrive at Chelsea? The Blues completed a deal to sign the teenager in June of this year, but he has remained with Palmeiras for now. He will not join Chelsea until after his 18th birthday - April 2025 - so will officially become a Chelsea player in the summer.

Estevao will be joined by another Brazilian youngster at Chelsea, with Kendry Paez also joining the Blues permanently in the summer once he turns 18.

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