Chelsea agree wonderkid transfer as Liverpool dealt another blow after deal reached

Chelsea have agreed a deal which will see them sign Independiente del Valle centre-back Deinner Ordonez in 2028 with the Ecuadorian leaving scouts impressed in South America

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign teenage centre-back Deinner Ordonez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, football.london understands.

The Blues’ latest signing, who was also linked with Liverpool, will join in 2028 and is in line with their strategy of investing in South American talent. Chelsea have signed young stars from Brazil in recent times, including Estevao Willian, Andrey Santos, and Angelo Gabriel.

Under the stewardship of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the club has consistently sought out talented teenage prospects with long-term potential. Chelsea’s decision to sign Ordonez, 16, aligns with their model of identifying and nurturing talent early on, whilst allowing players to continue their development in familiar surroundings before transitioning to European football.

The west London club’s recruitment efforts in South America are among the most sophisticated in the Premier League. Chelsea’s scouting network has been bolstered in areas such as Brazil and Ecuador, ensuring the club remains at the forefront in identifying the next generation of talent.

Chelsea have a close relationship with Independiente del Valle, for whom Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo played in his youth career before making the switch to Europe with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021.

Ordonez was also reportedly of interest to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Mail Sport’s Liverpool Confidential Q&A report that the English top-flight champions were among the elite European clubs tracking him.

It is claimed that Liverpool’s scouting department, led by sporting director Richard Hughes and supported by the club’s youth recruitment network, had highlighted Ordonez as one of the standout prospects in South America.

Scouts have reportedly described him as the best player of his age group on the continent.

However, the Reds have missed out on his signing with Chelsea set to welcome him to Stamford Bridge in three years’ time.

For the latest news and breaking news, visit football.london. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you for the capital’s clubs.

Shining a light on the issues fans really want to know about and providing rolling coverage of the latest news, football.london’s writers give you the bigger picture on your club by knowing the little details inside-out.

Follow us on X @‌Football_LDN – for the all latet news as it happens in real time.

Sign up for one of Football London’s free daily and weekly newsletters on your club by clicking here.

Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£49

£35

Sky

Get Sky Sports here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.