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Cobham talent Reggie Walsh signs first professional contract at Chelsea

Chelsea have confirmed that academy midfielder Reggie Walsh has signed his first professional contract at the club, after he turned 17 years old.

Walsh joined Chelsea as an under-8 and penned scholarship terms at Stamford Bridge in July after a series of first-team outings.

The England youth international made his first-team debut for Chelsea against Djurgarden in the UEFA Conference League last season, coming on as a substitute before starting the second leg of the semi-final, becoming the Blues’ third-youngest player to represent the club at senior level.

The 17-year-old became Chelsea’s youngest Champions League debutant in Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over Ajax.

He replaced Romeo Lavia in the 66th minute to break the record and also become the second-youngest Englishman to feature in the Champions League, behind only Jack Wilshere.

In September, Maresca told reporters, “I like all the academy guys, but Reggie is the one I like more than the rest.

“I like Reggie because he is doing things that I’m demanding of the other players, but he is doing those things without me asking him to do that. I don’t need to ask him to do something. What he’s doing is already what I want from that player.”

Walsh is now a regular for England’s U18 side, although he will compete for the Young Lions at the U17 World Cup in November.

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