20-YEAR-OLD MIDFIELDER MOVES TO READING FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE

We are delighted to confirm that we have today completed a deal to bring midfielder Ben Elliott to Reading on a permanent deal from Chelsea on a three-year contract.

The 20-year-old midfielder becomes the latest addition to Rubén Sellés squad as we continue to bolster our ranks.

Born in Kingston upon Thames, it was down the road with Chelsea that he began his football journey at the age of eight, by joining the Blues’ academy.

Working his way through the age groups, he penned his first pro deal at Stamford Bridge in November 2019, shortly after his 17th birthday.

As well as gaining experience at youth level throughout his time with Chelsea, Elliott got his first taste of senior-level opposition by representing Chelsea’s Under-21s in EFL Trophy against Exeter City in August 2021.

In the same competition the following season, he fired in a brilliant goal at Peterborough as the Blues’ youngsters won a knock-out fixture at London Road.

That preceded a trip to a warm-weather camp to Abu Dhabi as part of a senior Chelsea squad during the 2022 World Cup, training alongside midfielders including the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and former Royals loanee Cesare Casadei.

Elliott represented England on four occasions at age-group level – but over the summer, he earned his first international cap at senior level as Cameroon manager Rigobert Song gave him a debut for ‘the Indomitable Lions’ against Mexico.

Now the midfielder adds his name to the Reading roster as we make inroads into the 2023-24 campaign.

Mark Bowen, Head of Football Operations for the Royals, said: “Ben is a fantastically talented footballer, who was understandably attracting serious attention from a host of clubs in England and overseas.

“He’s desperate to demonstrate what he can do to impact first-team football matches and we’re delighted that we have been able to bring him to Reading and to give him that opportunity to impress. And he fits the mould of the type of player we want – eager to work hard, keen to keep learning, and with a desire to be successful with Reading.”