CHELSEA beat Manchester City in the race to sign teen sensation Camden Schaper from Blackburn.
The Blues — here we take a look at what all the fuss is about.
Who is Camden Schaper?
Camden Cesc Schaper is a highly promising 13-year-old South African footballer who has recently emerged as one of the most in the sport.
Born in Benoni, South Africa, Camden began his football journey at a young age, initially playing for SuperSport United.
He gained early international attention when he captained the SuperSport United under-11 team during a successful tour of Spain in 2021.
His performances on that tour caught the eye of scouts from major European clubs, including Sporting Lisbon.
They also caught the eye of top sport brand Adidas, who signed the prodigious prospect when he was just 12.
Sharing the happy news, Camden posted on Instagram: “Just a kid from Africa but here we are, dreams are valid, I’m pleased to announce I have signed for Adidas, thank you to everyone who made this happen.
“God is good. Proud to represent the biggest brand in football doing what I love the most playing football.”;
After relocating to England with his family in 2024, Camden joined Blackburn, where he continued to shine.
In the 2024/25 season, playing for the Rovers’ U14s, he scored an impressive 45 goals and provided 65 assists, showcasing his exceptional ability as an attacking midfielder and playmaker.
His technical skills, vision and goal-scoring prowess quickly made him a standout player, attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, including Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Citywere especially hoping to win the race for Camden — his younger brother Astin was already on their books.
But Chelsea ultimately secured Camden’s signature, paying Blackburn approximately £700,000 — around 17million South African Rand.
This fee is the highest ever paid for a footballer of just 13 years old, far surpassing the previous record set in 2017 when Manchester City signed Finley Burns for a reported £175,000.
As this no doubt highlights, there is intense competition among elite clubs to secure the best young talent as early as possible.
Camden’s transfer has generated excitement among fans and experts alike, who see him as a potential future superstar capable of making a major impact at the highest level of the game.
The South African teen prodigy’s remarkable performances at youth level have earned him a record-breaking move to Chelsea as the most expensive 13-year-old player ever signed.
The Blues are yet to release a statement about signing the wonderkid, but this is typical for transfers involving players under the age of 16.
Premier League clubs do not generally announce or publicly comment on academy signings.
