Chelsea FC Transfer News: Blues Secure Kenedy Signature

Chelsea FC have signed their third player in a week with Kenedy joining the club

Chelsea FC have finally announced the long awaited signing of Brazilian U20 International Kenedy from Fluminense, for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £6.3m.

Kenedy is no stranger to the Chelsea fans, having been given permission by his former club to go on trial with the Blues earlier this summer. The 19-year-old forward played 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly against last season’s Champions League winners Barcelona.

After the match, Jose Mourinho made a point of praising the young attacker, and had this to say at the time:

"He was in pre-season with us without the documents so he couldn’t play the first two matches for us. Against Barcelona he had the chance to do it and even if it was a friendly I think it was the best debut for a kid, to play against the best team. It was a great night for the kid and a great experience."

More from The Pride of London

Kenedy joins a growing band of Brazilian brothers at Chelsea, where he will train and play alongside the likes of Oscar, Willian, and Ramires while he will also know fellow youth internationals Lucas Piazon, Wallace and Nathan.

The two latter starlets have been sent out on loan for the coming season, with Nathan being the most recent addition, and departure, prior to Kennedy’s arrival.

During the pre-season tour in America, Mourinho also discussed Kennedy’s immediate future.

"We bought Kenedy because we believe in him. He’s a very young kid that we believe a lot in, hopefully. We have conditions to get him a work permit because we want him. We don’t want him to go out on loan. I think we have what the rules demand to get him a permit."

“We bought Kenedy because we believe in him. He’s a very young kid that we believe a lot in.”

Mourinho’s words will go some way to reassure Kenedy that his future might not follow the same well trodden path of our recent youth international recruits, and that he will be given the opportunity to challenge for a place in the first team squad this season.

After signing for the club, Kenedy spoke to the official Chelsea website and expressed his joy over the move to England:

"I am very happy to complete my transfer to Chelsea. It is an exciting time for me to join the English Premier League champions and I hope I can become an important player for the club."

The Brazilian forward becomes Chelsea’s third signing this week, following in the footsteps of Abdul Baba Rahman and Pedro, and has been given the number 16 shirt for the coming season.