(Xinhua) – An Ecuadorian talent who threatened Kim Jung-ho is heading to the Premier League after two years.
Chelsea announced the signing of young Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez (Independiente del Valle) through the club’s website on May 5 (KST).
“Paez, who will join the club after his 18th birthday, has already earned a reputation as one of South America’s most creative young talents with his technical dribbling, great vision and ability to break down defenses with his passing,” the club said.
“Chelsea will pay around €20 million ($27.9 million) for Paez, plus bonuses,” said Fabrizio Romano, a journalist specializing in the transfer market.
Paez made his debut for his current club this year and scored his debut goal, making him the youngest player to make a debut in Ecuador’s top flight and the youngest to score a debut goal. He has now made six appearances at the senior level this season and made his intercontinental debut on May 1 in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, against Brazilian side Corinthians.
Paez’s talents were highlighted at the CONMEBOL U-17 Copa America in Ecuador in April.
In the first round of the group stage, Paez had three assists in four games to help his team advance to the next round. In the second round, he was even better.
After missing the first game due to a 토토사이트 straight red card, he recorded an offensive point in each of the second round matches against Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela.
In four games, he had two goals and three assists to lead Ecuador to a second-place finish and a spot in this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Furthermore, Paez, along with his 2-year-old brother, is currently competing in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina. He’s been a standout at the tournament, too.
Playing in Group B against the United States, Slovakia, and Fiji, Paez scored a goal and two assists against Slovakia and Fiji to help his team finish second in the group and advance to the round of 16.
Paez, who also started the Round of 16 match against South Korea on Feb. 2, assisted on Justin Cuero’s game-winning goal in the 36th minute after South Korea had fallen behind to back-to-back goals from Lee Young-joon and Bae Jun-ho. Despite the elimination, Paez turned heads with one goal and three assists in the month-long tournament.