OFFICIAL: Chelsea complete first January signing

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 26 Jan 2026 12:28 GMT
• 5 min read

Breaking

Chelsea have officially completed the signing of Sheffield Wednesday defender Yisa Alao on a permanent deal for a reported initial fee of around €500,000.

Liam Rosenior’s side have been in advanced talks to sign the 17-year-old for several weeks and the deal has now been formally confirmed by both clubs.

Alao has signed a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge, valid until 2028, and he is expected to link up with Chelsea’s U21 side for the remainder of the season, rather than play a role in the first-team.

The teenager made five senior appearances for Sheffield Wednesday and he was included in the starting XI for a Championship match for the first time during the Owls’ 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in mid-January.

In an official statement posted on the Sheffield Wednesday website, the club said: “Yisa has developed through the Owls’ academy system and was offered a professional contract. Chelsea have presented him with an excellent opportunity, and after careful consideration Yisa has chosen to take the next step in his career…

“Yisa’s journey is a proud moment for everyone involved in the SWFC Academy - from coaches and staff to the families who support young players every day. His progress highlights the strength of the pathway at Sheffield Wednesday and its ability to help young players reach the highest levels of the game.

“As Administrators, our responsibility is to act in the best long-term interests of Sheffield Wednesday and its creditors. This transfer balances immediate value for the club with protection for the future, should Yisa’s career develop as we all hope.

“We would like to thank Yisa for his commitment and professionalism during his time at Hillsborough, and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”

Before his move to Chelsea was officially announced by either club, Alao posted on Instagram: “10 years, endless memories, from the staff, to my teammates, to the fans, forever grateful. Thank you Sheffield Wednesday.”

Yisa Alao joins Chelsea

Alao has become Chelsea’s first signing of the January transfer window and he could feasibly be the only player who ends up moving to Stamford Bridge this winter.

A deal for Stade Rennais centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has seemingly stalled, with the Ligue 1 outfit eager to offload him this summer, while they are yet to finalise an agreement with Juventus for Douglas Luiz, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest.

However, in response to their stalled pursuit of Jacquet, Chelsea have reportedly decided to recall Aaron Anselmino from a successful loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in order to bolster the defensive options available to Rosenior amid the unavailability of injured duo Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo.

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