Official: Chelsea wonderkid signs first professional contract

Cameron Smith

• 11 Jan 2026 08:23 CST
• 5 min read

News

Chelsea wonderkid Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has officially signed his first professional contract at the club following his 17th birthday.

The teenager signed scholarship terms at Stamford Bridge in July and he has now been rewarded with a first professional contract with the west London giants.

The 17-year-old winger is regarded as one of the top youth prospects in Chelsea’s academy and he was named in a senior matchday squad for the very first time versus Ajax in the Champions League back in October.

McQueen was a key contributor for Chelsea’s U18 side during the 2024-25 campaign and he has made the step up to U21 football this term, while he has also featured for the Blues in the UEFA Youth League and the Premier League International Cup.

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen signs Chelsea deal

The speedy winger has two goals and two assists in 11 matches for various Chelsea youth teams so far this season, although his most notable contribution came during an appearance for England U17s.

In just his third cap for that age group, McQueen scored four goals and provided one assist during a thrilling 7-5 victory over Germany U17s in September, which alerted then Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to his potential.

Speaking in early October, the ex-Chelsea head coach told reporters: “He scored four goals against Germany; I even watched that game.

“I was very impressed, but I already knew him because we have one of my staff always watching the second team (Under-21s) since last year. They told me that this guy was very good, so I watched him. I think he's good.”

Kavuma-McQueen is yet to make his first-team debut for Chelsea and he is likely to earn that accolade after fellow academy winger Jesse Derry, who has shone since arriving from Crystal Palace last summer.

However, Chelsea have rewarded the teenager with his first professional contract and he could be set for a bright future at Stamford Bridge if he continues his development.

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