17-year-old academy striker Jude Soonsup-Bell signs professional contract with Chelsea
A report by Football.london mentions that Jude Soonsup-Bell has penned his first contract at Chelsea. The striker, who turned 17 on Sunday, joined Chelsea from Swindon Town U-13.
He started his career out as a midfielder but started playing as a striker at Chelsea. Soonsup-Bell has impressed in recent times so the news of him signing a new deal is not a big surprise.
Soonsup-Bell has climbed the ladder at a steady pace and was training with the senior Chelsea squad ahead of their FA Cup tie against Morecambe. The 17-year-old currently plays for the U-23 side in Premier League 2.
He was handed his Premier League 2 debut this season, after having made his U-18 debut in the 19/20 season. He currently has 16 goals in 12 matches for Chelsea’s U-18 and U-23 sides this campaign.
This includes a 4-goal haul against Barnsley in the FA Youth Cup, another 4 goals against Leicester U-18, and a goal against Manchester United U-23. (h/t Transfermarkt)
A great future prospect
The former Swindon youth academy player posted a short message on his social media account, expressing his happiness over signing the new deal.
Currently, the Blues are in no dire need of a striker and Soonsup-Bell might find it difficult to break into the squad just yet. Frank Lampard already has selection headaches between Timo Werner, Tammy Abraham, and Olivier Giroud.
However, at just 17 years of age, it is too early to ask Soonsup-Bell to fulfil expectations such as that.
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He has a long way to go in his footballing career and Chelsea fans should rejoice that he has chosen to commit his future at Stamford Bridge.