Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign teenage centre-back Deinner Ordonez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, football.london understands.
The Blues' latest signing, who was also linked with Liverpool, will join in 2028 and is in line with their strategy of investing in South American talent. Chelsea have signed young stars from Brazil in recent times, including Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, and Angelo Gabriel.
Under the stewardship of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the club has consistently sought out talented teenage prospects with long-term potential. Chelsea's decision to sign Ordonez, 16, aligns with their model of identifying and nurturing talent early on, whilst allowing players to continue their development in familiar surroundings before transitioning to European football.
The west London club's recruitment efforts in South America are among the most sophisticated in the Premier League. Chelsea's scouting network has been bolstered in areas such as Brazil and Ecuador, ensuring the club remains at the forefront in identifying the next generation of talent.
Chelsea have a close relationship with Independiente del Valle, for whom Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo played in his youth career before making the switch to Europe with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021.
Ordonez was also reportedly of interest to Chelsea's Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Mail Sport’s Liverpool Confidential Q&A report that the English top-flight champions were among the elite European clubs tracking him.
It is claimed that Liverpool’s scouting department, led by sporting director Richard Hughes and supported by the club’s youth recruitment network, had highlighted Ordonez as one of the standout prospects in South America.
Scouts have reportedly described him as the best player of his age group on the continent.
However, the Reds have missed out on his signing with Chelsea set to welcome him to Stamford Bridge in three years' time.
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