African wonder-kid signs for Chelsea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

What has been something of a special week for Chelsea supporters around the globe has just got that little bit better.

After a last-gasp win over Manchester Cityand then going to the Emirates and humbling Arsenal in the League Cup, news have broke that the Blues have finally secured the signing African sensation-in-the-making Bertrand Traore on a long-term deal.

A highly-skilful attacking midfield player who is equally as potent on the wing as he is in the number 10 position, the 18 year-old already has ten full international caps for Burkina Faso, scoring one goal.

He already has international honours to his name - in 2011 he played a starring role in helping his nation secure the Under-17 African Championship.

Blues defender and England international Gary Cahill went on record as saying Traore has "a bright future ahead of him" with Chelsea - and that prophecy is one step closer to fruition now the youngster has been signed.

Traore, despite featuring heavily for the Blues in Asia, was technically only a trialist when he netted in consecutive tour fixtures.

You may remember Traore as the young man who scored twice for the Blues in their tour of Asia last summer. It was his left foot that supplied one of the tour's many highlights - this absolute screamer:

The Blues had feared they might lose the young African starlet due to FIFA rulings - but now, a month after his 18th birthday, this promising talent has been snapped up by the West London outfit, and it is highly likely he may feature under José Mourinho before the conclusion of the season.

Traore has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal, and is likely to feature heavily for the club's respective academy and youth sides over the coming months.

HOWEVER whilst the young man is contractually aligned with Chelsea Football Club, there is the potential stumbling block of obtaining a work permit.

Yet with ten national caps, it looks likely that Traore will be granted permission to live and work in the United Kingdom. Fingers crossed....!

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[1chelsea 864]

Welcome son

[chelseawise 115]

Superstar in making. This guy is will be better than any Number 10 out there today

[kellzfresh 7,226]

fantastic signing. I love players with amazing ball control like him. He's everything mourinho wants in the right wing, (left footed, can shoot from distance, strong, fast and has great ball control)

In a few years he'll nail a starting position for us, i'm confident of it.