United Kingdom: Omari Kellyman, an attacking midfielder from Aston Villa, has signed a six-year contract with Chelsea. The 18-year-old, an England U19 international, appeared in six first-team games at Villa Park.
“It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. “It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” Kellyman told Chelsea’s official website.
Kellyman signed a 10-year contract with Derby County to begin his career there before moving on to Aston Villa in 2022.
Ian Maatsen, a left-back for Villa, signed a contract with Chelsea. The 22-year-old, who will cost £37.5 million ($47 million) to Villa Park, has agreed to a six-year contract.
Maatsen’s £35 million release clause expired earlier this month, allowing Chelsea to bargain for the increased amount they settled on with Villa.
During his first season with Villa, the England youth international made appearances for the Under-18 and Under-21 teams, earning a nomination for Premier League 2 Player of the Month.
Kellyman participated in Villa’s preseason tour of the United States in the previous summer. He made his first-team debut in August 2023 against Hibernian in the Europa Conference League, winning 3-0.
During the previous season, he went on to make five more senior appearances, including matches in the Premier League against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.