Chelsea have officially confirmed the signing of highly rated winger Jesse Derry from Crystal Palace, with the 18-year-old penning a contract that keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2029.
Derry, an England Under-19 international, is regarded as one of the brightest young attacking prospects in his age group.
A versatile wide player known for his direct dribbling, creative instincts, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one, he joins a Chelsea project increasingly focused on nurturing elite youth talent. His arrival further underscores the club’s long-term vision under head coach Enzo Maresca and sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
Having come through the ranks at Crystal Palace, Derry first caught the eye when he made his Under-18s debut as a schoolboy. His performances during the 2023/24 campaign were particularly impressive, culminating in him being named Palace’s Under-18s Player of the Season.
He earned a deserved promotion to the club’s Under-21 setup and remained a key figure at youth level throughout the season.
On the international stage, Derry represented England at this summer’s UEFA European Under-19 Championship, further adding to his growing pedigree.
His technical profile aligns well with the kind of high-tempo, positional football that Maresca is looking to implement at Chelsea.
The move also reflects a broader trend within the Chelsea hierarchy of securing emerging domestic talent early and integrating them into a pathway that includes regular minutes at Under-21 level and potential exposure to first-team football, either through training opportunities or strategic loan spells.
With a five-year deal now signed, Jesse Derry will begin life at Cobham with immediate effect and is expected to join up with the development squad ahead of the new campaign.
