Chelsea beat off strong competition to sign Ecuador wonderkid Kendy Paez.

Signed for £20m, Paez is seen as one of football’s next biggest stars.

Chelsea have been congratulated in Spain for signing Ecuador wonderkid Kendy Paez, following his recent international debut against Uruguay.

AS wrote of the 16 year-old attacker: “Todd Boehly’s Chelsea were able to get ahead of the game and sign Paez earlier this year for 20 million.

“A figure that at the time was considered outrageous for a boy of his age, but which little by little seems to have become a derisory amount. A generational talent who in two years’ time will be able to share a club with Moises Caicedo, another of the illustrious Ecuadorians of this golden generation who wants to make a name for himself.

“Kendry Paez, write his name down. He has arrived to make history.”

The highly-rated teenager will remain at Independiente del Valle until he turns 18. He will officially join Chelsea in the summer of 2025.