Nephew of former Super Eagles star set to be loaned out by Chelsea 

2023 Golden Boy nominee Lesley Ugochukwu, who is the nephew of former Super Eagles central defender Onyekachi Apam, is Chelsea's latest signing, with only an official announcement pending to make it a done deal.

The France U19 international of Nigerian descent has already put pen to paper on a multi-year contract with the two-time European champions, ending his eleven-year association with Rennes in the process. 

Rennes agreed to cancel their contract with Ugochukwu two years before its expiration in exchange for a fee in the region of 27 million euros. 

It is unlikely that the French-Nigerian teenager will be drafted into the first team squad for the forthcoming season, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed. 

A season-long loan move to Chelsea's partner club Strasbourg has been mooted for the 19-year-old. 

"We need experience in midfield. The idea for Lesley is loan move to get some game time, " Pochettino was quoted as saying by Fabrizio Romano. 

Brighton & Hove's Ecuador star Moisés Caicedo is Pochettino's primary target to bolster the midfield and the Stamford Bridge outfit have also been linked with Southampton's teenage sensation Romeo Lavia. 

Chelsea have signed exciting U21 players of Nigerian descent namely Ugochukwu, Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka as part of their Vision 2030 Project. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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