Chelsea confirm first signing of Liam Rosenior era as wonderkid Yisa Alao joins

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Evening Standard

·26 January 2026

Chelsea confirm first signing of Liam Rosenior era as wonderkid Yisa Alao joins

Blues beat two Premier League rivals to starlet’s signature

Chelsea have announced the signing of left-back Yisa Alao from Sheffield Wednesday.

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The 17-year-old is understood to have joined Chelsea for an initial fee of just over £500,000, but add-ons are expected to take the fee to around double that if the terms are met.

Standard Sport understands Chelsea saw off stiff competition for Alao’s signature, with Manchester United having also held talks to try to sign him and Liverpool were also interested.

Alao has been a breakthrough star for Wednesday this season and played 60 minutes in their FA Cup defeat to Brentford earlier this month.

Done deal: Yisa Alao signs for Chelsea

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Overall, he played five times for their first team this season and attracted attention from Premier League scouts with his assured displays.

Chelsea have a youth-focused transfer strategy and Alao will initially become a player for their academy, rather than immediately joining Liam Rosenior and the first team.

A previous bid of £450,000 by United is believed to have been rejected by Wednesday before Christmas, before Chelsea won the race to sign the Doncaster-born defender.

Alao is a product of the Wednesday academy and made his senior debut against Bolton in the Carabao Cup in August at the age of 16.

A statement from Chelsea announcing his arrival on Monday afternoon read: “Chelsea is pleased to announce the signing of Yisa Alao, with the left-back agreeing a contract with the Blues until 2028.

“The 17-year-old came through Sheffield Wednesday’s academy and made his senior debut for the Owls in August. Alao has since played four more games, starting Wednesday’s recent FA Cup tie against Brentford and Championship match against Portsmouth. Welcome to Chelsea, Yisa!”