Chelsea completes its first signing of January 2026 transfer window

Chelsea Football Club officially confirmed the signing of 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from Sheffield Wednesday on a two-year deal.

The Blues confirmed the signing on its official website completing a deal that will see the highly rated teenager remain at Stamford Bridge until 2028. Also is also joining Chelsea as part of the club’s long-term recruitment strategy, which continues to focus heavily on securing some of the young talents in English football.

The defender has been closely monitored after impressing at the academy level with Sheffield Wednesday, where his pace, composure on the ball and tactical intelligence marked him out as one of the club’s standout prospects.

The youngster is expected to begin his Chelsea journey within the club’s academy structure at Cobham, where he will be given time and support to adapt to his new environment.

Chelsea’s development pathway, which has already produced several first-team regulars in recent years, is viewed as the ideal setting for Alao to refine his game and push towards senior football in the future. For Sheffield Wednesday, this looks like losing a player to Sheffield Wednesday but they can take pride in having helped shape a player now considered ready for the next step in his career.

However, for Chelsea, this arrival adds further depth and quality to their growing pool of young defenders as they plan for the future.