Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli has signed his first professional contract with Premier League giants Chelsea, despite interest from overseas clubs.
Australian-born academy star Nicoll-Jazuli, 16, will not formally sign his new contract until his 17th birthday in January with scholarship terms agreed initially. Considered one of the academy’s most promising talents, he turned interest to commit his future to the Blues.
Born in Sydney to an Aussie mother and a Sudanese father, the teenage sensation is continuing to make waves abroad having already spent time training with Chelsea’s senior side. The England international, who is also eligible for Australia through his mother, has been pursued by France.
He headed to the UK very early in life, opting to join Chelsea at age six, with Arsenal and Crystal Palace also interested in the midfielder, who began as a centre-back before transitioning in Under-13s, according to the BBC.
Nicoll-Jazuli only turned 16 on January 6, but already became the youngest player ever to start for Chelsea in the UEFA Youth League against Benfica in September, before scoring in the following match against Ajax. He has also taken on Qarabag and Barcelona.
The wonderkid is already playing several years above his age group, representing Chelsea’s Under-21 side and also playing for England at U17 level.
UK outlet The Sun reported in October that “Jazuli has been tipped for a blistering career at Stamford Bridge after catching the eye of several top European clubs in recent months.”
Adding that he is “widely regarded as the best player in his age group and plays with a style reminiscent of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham”.