Who is Denner Evangelista? Chelsea sign Gabriel's wonderkid cousin | OneFootball

The free-scoring defender joins in a deal 18 months in the making

Chelsea have announced the signing of 18-year-old wonderkid Denner Evangelista.

The plan for Denner to join Chelsea has been a long time in the making. As early as March 2025, Chelsea reached an agreement to sign the youngster from Brazilian giants Corinthians once he had turned 18.

The teenager is said to have joined Chelsea for an €10million, plus an extra €4m in performance-related add-ons. Brazilian media reported there is also a 15 per cent sell-on clause included in the transfer. Denner has penned a contract that ties him to the Blues until the summer of 2034.

Confirmation of his arrival on Chelsea’s official website stated that the “forward-thinking, left-sided defender” would be joining the club’s academy.

The arrival of the highly-rated teen is just the latest example of Chelsea keeping their ears to the ground for the best emerging talent in South America. Estevao, 19, has already proven a success story at Chelsea, and they this summer signed Valentin Barco, the Argentina midfielder, 22, from sister club Strasbourg.

Other young players from South America on their books include Aaron Anselmino, 21, and 19-year-old Kendry Paez.

Who is Denner Evangelista?

Denner Alves Evangelista Pereira, is known simply as Denner. He landed in Corinthians’s academy at the age of 13 and rose through the youth ranks there, last year starring as their Under-20s finished runners-up in the Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Júnior cup.

The defender contributed three goals and a further two assists during their run in that competition, including netting the opener in the final against Sao Paulo.

A youth international for Brazil, he was part of the U17s side which won the South American Championships last year.

Hailing from Sao Paulo, football certainly runs in Denner’s family. He is a cousin of Arsenal’s star centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, who played in Brazil until leaving for Lille in 2017.

Family links: Future Chelsea signing Denner Evangelista is said to be a cousin of current Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Though he never made his senior debut for Corinthians, his impressive performances at U20 level while playing in age groups beyond his years that alerted European clubs - and eventual destination Chelsea - to his talents.

His goal in the final of the Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Júnior cup, or ‘Copinha’, tells us a little about what Chelsea may be hoping he can contribute in the years to come. His powerful strike from inside the box came after having beaten a defender for strength after tracking a fine lofted pass forward and then cutting inside, before lashing home at the near post.

In that particular competition, he was one of the stars of the tournament. He lands in Chelsea’s youth setup amid much fanfare.