Chelsea confirm deal for academy player

Chelsea have handed their academy midfielder Frankie Runham his first professional contract.

The Blues made this update known in a statement via their website on Wednesday.

“We are delighted Frankie will continue his development at Chelsea,” the club’s head of youth development and recruitment, Jim Fraser, said.

“He has consistently showcased his versatility and quality for our Under 17s and 18s and we look forward to seeing even more as this season progresses.”

Runham arrived at Chelsea academy at eight years old and rose up the ladder to become the Blues’ youngest-ever UEFA Youth League goalscorer at the age of 15 after scoring a goal against Dinamo Zagreb in November 2022.

Aside from playing at the club level, Runham has represented England at the Under-15 and Under-16 age groups.

He has had the opportunity to train with Chelsea’s first team under manager Mauricio Pochettino this season.